Donald Edward Echter

Sibley, IA Donald Echter age 90 of Sibley, IA died Monday December 17, 2012 at the Osceola Community Hospital in Sibley, IA. Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 21, 2012 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Sibley, with Keith Zylstra and Reverend Barb Kopperud officiating. Burial will follow in the Holman Township Cemetery in Sibley, with military honors by the George E. Mudge, American Legion Post No. 324 and the William F. Allard, VFW Post No. 7373. Visitation will be Thursday, December 20th from 2:00 - 8:00 p.m. with the family present from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Jurrens Funeral Home of Sibley. Donald Edward Echter was born on November 25, 1922, the son of George P. and Opal I. (Cramer) Echter in Worthington, MN. When Don was nine months old his family moved to Sibley. There he attended school and graduated from Sibley High School in 1940. After graduating he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served in the U.S. Army for nearly three years, of which 2 ½ years were served in the Kwajalein Battle. There he was awarded the Bronze Star. On June 12, 1946, Don married Lavonne Grieser in Sheldon, IA. To this union seven children were born. Upon his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, Don began working in the family greenhouse. He took ownership in 1958 until his retirement in 1986 when Rick took over the business. He was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, the American Legion and at one time Sibley Chamber of Commerce. Don loved gardening, being outdoors, and time spent at their lake home. He was also an avid Minnesota Twins fan. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially attending the many activities of his children and grandchildren. Don is survived by his wife of sixty-six years, Lavonne Echter of Sibley, IA; seven children, Pam (Greg) Kleve of Omaha, NE, Linda (Rich) Rachwalik of Omaha, NE, Rick (Barb) Echter of Sibley, IA, Denise (Dean) Stucky of Marshalltown, IA, Greg (Lyn) Echter of Omaha, NE, Doug Echter of Mesa, AZ and Barb (Steve) Schuck of Cherokee, IA; eighteen grandchildren and twenty-three great-grandchildren; two brothers, Bob (Mary) Echter of Denver, CO and Jim (Colette) Echter of Oceanside, CA; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant daughter, Connie; and one brother, Herbert (Paul) Echter.