Donald “Don” Henry Bielenberg, age 87, of rural Scranton, IA passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 at Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Monday, May 15, 2023 at Trinity Lutheran Church near Coon Rapids with Pastor Alan Miller officiating. Casket bearers will be Aaron Bielenberg, Brandon Bielenberg, Justan Bielenberg, Collin Clark, Ben Hall, Austin Eischeid, Gage Bielenberg, and Kris Lehman. Burial will be in the Willow Township Cemetery.
Visitation will be held at the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Coon Rapids from 5 – 7 P.M. on Sunday where there will be a prayer service held at 7 P.M. The casket will be moved to Trinity Lutheran Church at 9:30 A.M. on Monday where visitation will resume until 10:15 A.M. prior to the service.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Coon Rapids and online condolences may be left for the family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com
In Lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Don’s name for a later designation.
Don was born on June 20, 1935 in Carroll, IA, and he was the son of Rudolf and Anna (Carstens) Bielenberg. He grew up in the Glidden and Scranton area and graduated from Bayard High School in 1953. Don farmed with his father south of Scranton until his marriage to Sheryl Laughery on June 26, 1955. The couple made their home on the Laughery family farm one mile west of Bayard for six years before moving to the Bielenberg family farm where they currently live. Don was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church where he served on many boards over the years. He also served on the Bayard Community School Board for nine years. Farming was Don’s life and he affectionately called his cattle “his girlfriends”. He served as a 4-H leader for many years, and he was proud to say he farmed until he was 86 years old. He enjoyed taking fishing trips to Canada and socializing with his friends over coffee at Sparky’s and Willow Creek.
Don is survived by his wife Sheryl of 67 years of rural Scranton; a son Daniel Bielenberg (Cindy) of Bagley; a son Randy Bielenberg of Bayard; a daughter Alisa Clark (Scott) of Bagley; eight grandchildren: Aaron Bielenberg (Jesse), Justan Bielenberg (Heather), Brandon Bielenberg (Bri), Shae Sibley, Kali Hall (Ben), Collin Clark (Michelle Halbur), Kelsey Eischeid (Austin), and Caelin Clark (Kris Lehman); eighteen great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law: Janice Bielenberg of Coon Rapids and Gaye Holeston of Illinois; a brother-in-law Charles Hill of Springfield, MO; and several nieces and nephews.
Don was preceded in death by his parents Rudolf and Anna Bielenberg; his father and mother-in-law Burdette and Norma Laughery; a brother Doyle Bielenberg; two sisters: Betty Bielenberg and Mary Hill; a son Brad Bielenberg; and a granddaughter Brenna Jo.