Donald D. Dorenkamp, 91, of Belmond, passed away Tuesday, September 27, 2022 at
the Rehabilitation Center of Belmond. Memorial services for Don Dorenkamp will
be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, October 8, 2022 at First Reformed Church, 620
2nd Street in Meservey with Rev. Rodney Meester officiating. The memorial
service will be live streamed on First Reformed Church, Meservey, Iowa YouTube
channel. Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM on Friday, October 7,
2022 at Ewing Funeral Home, 111 Luick's Lane South in Belmond.
Donald David Dorenkamp was born in Belmond, lowa on June 15, 1931, to John and
Kate (Pals) Dorenkamp, the 5th of six sons. He attended rural schools and then
Belmond High School, where he graduated in 1949. Don was the first in his family
to graduate from high school. On June 29, 1951, Don was united in marriage to
Betty Soma. They were blessed with nearly 70 years together as husband and wife.
Don worked as a farmhand until March of 1953, when he moved his young family to
a farm located halfway between Meservey and Thornton. There he began a long and
fulfilling career raising crops, hogs, cattle and children. In 1977 Don and
Betty built a home on Willow Street in Thornton. He continued to grain farm
until 2013 when he and Betty moved to the Belmond Apartments. On September 27,
2022 he passed away peacefully in the Belmond Rehabilitation Center at the age
of 91 years three months.
Everyone who knew Don understood his passion for people. He never met a person
with whom he could not strike up a conversation and make a friend. He could
often be found having coffee, playing cards or just visiting. This passion also
led him to serve in a wide range of organizations - ASCS committee man, Thornton
city council member, Pleasant Valley Golf board member and various church
boards. In addition, he was very active in the Thornton Lions Club and served as
Lion District Chaplin for three years. Don was well known throughout the North
lowa area as a lay minister and was frequently called upon to fill a pulpit over
a span of 40 years.
Don's life could be summed up with four words - farming, friendships, family and
faith. His love and devotion to his wife, Betty and his children, grandchildren
and great grandchildren was extraordinary.
Left to cherish Don's memory are five children: David (Helen) Dorenkamp of
Milford, lowa, Alan (Jo) Dorenkamp of Polk City, lowa, Kathy (Michael) Atkinson
of Hampton, lowa, Susan (Bob) Howe of Waverly, lowa and Heidi (Nick) Merfeld of
Ames, lowa, 12 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren scattered throughout the
U.S., and his brother, Calvin of Mason City, lowa.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Betty (January 2021), brothers
Herman, Dick, Benjamin, and Alvin, and grandson, Dustin Dorenkamp.