Donald Mashek

donald mashek
Donald J. Mashek age 81 of Lawler died Sunday, September 18, 2011, at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. A Memorial Mass will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 23, 2011, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Lawler with Rev. Nick March celebrating the Mass. Military honors will be conducted by the Lawler American Legion Post and the Alta Vista V.F.W. Post. Inurnment will be in Calvary Cemetery, New Hampton at a later date. Friends may greet the family 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Thursday, September 22, 2011, at the Hugeback & Chenoweth Funeral Home in New Hampton where there will be a 4:00 p.m. rosary and a 6:30 p.m. parish scripture service. Visitation continues an hour prior to the Mass at church on Friday. Donald Joseph Mashek was born March 12, 1930, on the Mashek family farm near Calmar, IA, the son of Adolph J. and Marie A. (Riehle) Mashek. He received his elementary education in Calmer and at St. Joseph Grade School in New Hampton. Due to his fathers death at a young age, Don immediately began working on the family farm. On February 6, 1952, he was inducted into the United States Army and was honorably discharged on September 8, 1953. On October 19, 1953, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in North Washington, he married Marianne Schwickerath. To this union two daughters were born. Initially Don worked at the former Oliver Corporation in Charles City as well as farming. He had many occupations to follow until the time he owned Mashek Insurance and Realty. Don had been on the Chickasaw County Board of Review, a member of the American Legion Post in Lawler, the V.F.W. Post in Alta Vista, and a member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Lawler. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, golfing, watching baseball and playing cards. Survivors include his wife, Marianne of Rockwell City, IA; two daughters, Anne (Tonie) Curran of Lake City, IA; Linda (Gordon) Arneson of St. Paul, MN; three grandchildren, Tonie Curran Jr., Halle Arneson and John Curran; three sisters, Alice Rosenberg of Gardnerville, NV, Maggie (Jack) Sloan of Waucoma, IA, Therese Berry of San Jose, CA. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Jerome Mashek, Virgil Mashek, Adolph J. Mashek; two sisters, Dorothy Flick and a sister in infancy; one brother-in-law, Don Sullivan.

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  1. Dear Marianne, I was so sorry to hear that Don had passed away. Both Pat and I cherished our friendship from Pat and Don returning home from Korea, and you stopping by on your honeymoon; the times we spent with you in Iowa and the times you visited us in California. Good memories. Good friendship. God Bless you Marianne. Love Audery Ball

  2. My deepest sympathy to you and your family Linda. Heaven has a new angel. From what I remember of your father is his great conversation and of course introducing this Scottish kid all about homemade beef jerky.

  3. Marianne, Linda, and Anne, Thinking of all of you and your families with deepest sympathy. Hold onto your many happy memories. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. Jeff and Pat Sommerlot Marshalltown, Iowa

  4. Marianne, Anne, Linda, and families, My deepest sympathy to you all. Don was a wonderful person. He always had a smile and a great sense of humor! My visits to Lawler were always special. Love, hugs, and prayers, Your buzzin’ cousin, Liz Mashek

  5. To Marianne, Linda and Anne….my prayers from Afghanistan on the passing of Don. He and I shared a common military bond and I really loved to hear his stories of what the Army used to be like. Don has finished his patrol…time to take a knee and rest….

  6. Ann and Family, So sorry to hear about your Dad-Grandpa on the radio this morning. Lots of memories to be remembered. It’s not easy. You will be in our prayers. Take Care!

  7. Dear Ann, Linda and family, First of all, give your mom a hug from me. I was so shocked to hear of your dad’s passing today. He was so proud of you kids and the grandkids and boy did he love his country. He will be deeply missed by all. Thinking of him with great fondness and praying for each of you in this very difficult time. Hugs to the kids too. Take care, Evie

  8. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Mashek family. I wish I could be there to celebrate Don’s life, I have so many fond memories of Don and spending many hours with his family! May he be welcomed home with open arms at the Gates of Heaven! Patrick Smith and Family

  9. Our deepest and most sincere sympathy to Marianne-Anne and Tonie Sr., Tonie Jr. and John; Linda and Gordy-Hallie-along with all of extended families-may all of you be comforted knowing that Don is in Heaven. Don, you will be missed and continue to watch over us with Mom. Lots of great memories growing up…thanks for all them. Kelli and Christian Stoler

  10. We wish to extend Our Deepest Sympathy to you for the loss of your Dad,father Inlaw and Grandpa. The loss of a parent stays deep within you and never seems to leave you. I know the loss of my mother is still within my heart deeply. Lyn and Chris Bruns and Jack Meissen


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