Donald Havel

Donald L. Havel age 76 of Calmar, Iowa died Thursday, April 4, 2013, at Linn Haven Rehab and Healthcare in New Hampton. Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Monday, April 8, 2013, at Hugeback's Protivin Funeral Home, Protivin, with Chaplain Dave Byrd from Iowa Hospice presiding. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Schley, with Alan Havel, Bryan Havel, Kevin Havel, Steve Praska, Sheldon Praska and Shawn Praska serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are Brandon Havel. Jenna Havel, Wayne Vokaty, Mark Opat and Adrian Samec. Friends may greet the family 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Sunday, April 7, 2013, at Hugeback's Protivin Funeral Home, Protivin. Visitation continues an hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made in Don's name to the Hugeback's Protivin Funeral Home. Don was born February 19, 1937 in New Hampton, IA, the son of Lewis and Leona (Moravetz) Havel. On October 2, 1957, Don was united in marriage to Mary Sweeney at the Holy Cross Catholic Church in Schley. During their marriage the couple were blessed with five children. They made their home in Cresco and Evansdale, Iowa areas before moving to Des Moines. Don worked as a mechanic at both Schuki Chevrolet in Waterloo and Bob Brown Chevrolet in Des Moines. After Don moved back to the Cresco area, he found his real passion, refurbishing old tractors. He was in the height of his glory when taking what his children thought was junk, and creating masterpieces. He took real pride in this passion, from finding all the parts and piecing them together, to hearing the tractor motor run for the first time, to sanding and eventually painting the final product. Each one he restored was like the first; always very meticulous in making sure they were perfect. Some of the tractors he refurbished he would drive in parades, even having his sons driving some of them. Don loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. He and his long-time companion, Lois Fisher, enjoyed going to towns along the Mississippi River, attending auctions, flea markets, tractor and car shows. He really enjoyed thrashing season and having everyone come out to his acreage and assist him. He also loved his old time country music and NASCAR racing. Don is survived by Lois Fisher; his five children, Jackie (Darrell) Manning of Ankeny, Alan Havel of Winterset, Bryan (Kimmy) Havel of Pleasant Hill, Carolyn Walker of Omaha, Nebraska, and Kevin (Lori) Havel of Altoona; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He is also survived by one sister, Celesta Praska of Cresco, a niece, three nephews and a host of friends. The Family is deeply grateful to the staff at Linn Haven Rehab and Healthcare for the compassionate and loving care they provided.