Donald Eugene Quintus

GARNER - Donald E. Quintus, 81, of Garner died Tuesday (January 12, 2010) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 A.M., Friday at the United Presbyterian Church in Garner with Justin Asche officiating. Burial will be in Concord Township Cemetery in Garner with military rites by the Garner Veterans Ceremonial Unit.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 P.M., Thursday at the United Presbyterian Church in Garner and will continue one hour prior to services at the church. Cataldo Funeral Home in Garner is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be given to North Iowa Mercy Hospital, Muse Norris Hospice or On Common Grounds Ministry.

Donald E. Quintus, the son of Roy and Mildred (Stewart) Quintus, was born January 16, 1928 on a farm east of Garner. He was baptized and confirmed at the United Presbyterian Church in Garner. Don graduated from Garner High School in 1947. He worked on the family farm until 1950 when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Upon his completion of basic training at Great Lakes Naval Base in Illinois he was assigned to the U.S.S. Harlan Dickson DD 708 during the Korean War. On July 26, 1952 he married Evelyn Borrelli at Providence, RI. After his honorable discharge in 1954, Don and Lynne returned to Iowa where Don worked for Hancock Co. Coop Oil for 3 years and Bock Oil for four years. In 1960, Don and Lynne began farming southwest of Klemme until 1999 when they moved into Garner. Don drove school bus for the Klemme school district for 14 years and did seasonal farm work for Gordon and Marilyn Pringnitz for many years. He enjoyed traveling and attending his annual Navy reunion in various states. Don also enjoyed visiting with people and the fellowship of his "coffee buddies". He considered his family as his most precious possession. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church where he served as Sunday school superintendent, sang in the choir and served on the Board of Trustees and Session for many years. He also was a board member of the Klemme Coop and bank director for North Iowa State Bank in Belmond for a number of years.

Don is survived by his wife, Lynne, of Garner; two sons, Ken (Deb) Quintus of Garner and Brad Quintus of Mesa, AZ; four grandchildren, Ellen (Eric) Schulte and their two children, Ava and Hayden, Lauren (Nathanael) Gilkerson and their two children, Evelina and Rosina, Evan Quintus and Nicole Quintus; two sisters, Virginia (Harlan) Haberkamp of Garner and Dorothy Jeter of Garner; three sisters-in-law, Verneil Quintus of Garner, Ruth Quintus of Brooklyn Park, MN and Phyllis Quintus of Hampton; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Reed Quintus; a sister, Margaret Allen; and three brothers, Dean, Jim and Jerry Quintus.