Donald L. Heimbuch

MASON CITY It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Don Heimbuch, who passed away unexpectedly at home of natural causes on Wednesday, April 13, 2011. Memorial services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Tuesday, April 19, 2011, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 213 N. Pennsylvania Ave., with Rev. Dan Gerrietts officiating. Visitation will be 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. on Monday, April 18, 2011, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Memorials may be directed to the Donald L. Heimbuch memorial fund in care of the family.
Donald was born October 28, 1940, in Mason City, the son of Robert and Martha (Graf) Heimbuch, the oldest of 10 children. He graduated from MCHS Class of 1958. He attended Mason City Junior College (NIACC) and then State College of Iowa (UNI) Class of 1962, where he obtained a B.S. in physics along with a teaching certificate. Don took his teaching certificate and moved to Davenport, IA, where he taught physics and science at Williams Junior High and later West High School. It was while teaching at Williams that he met Sharon Newport. They married on June 10, 1967, in Davenport. To this union, three children were born. In 1968, Don and his new bride moved back to Mason City to engage in farming and the family fertilizer business, Heimbuch Ag Service, with his father. He continued the business with his brothers, Ray and Mark, until 1996. He then became a loyal and dedicated employee of Graham Manufacturing, retiring in 2006. Don enjoyed retirement by traveling the U.S. (visiting 49 states) with wife Sharon and spending time with his children, grandchildren and other family and friends. He also enjoyed telling about the different rides he drove to and from auction for Schukei Chevrolet in recent years. Don always took great joy in spoiling his family with great food and special family recipes as well as treating them to the Northwestern Steakhouse and Birdsalls Ice Cream. He was a true Jack of All Trades and was often affectionately referred to as The Walking Encyclopedia as there was seemingly nothing he couldnt do or didnt know.
Donald is survived by his wife of nearly 44 years, Sharon, of Mason City; children, Heather Heimbuch (Devon Weide) and their daughter, Ella, of New Richmond, WI, Heidi Heimbuch (special friend Ryan Marquardt) of Mason City, and Rob Heimbuch (Dana) and children, Mara and Max, of Rockwell, IA. He is also survived by siblings, Roger (Jean), Ray (Pam), Jim (Judy), Carolyn (Richard Pope), Mary (Charles Sukup), Paul (Mary), and Mark (Linette); brother in-law, Steve (Cheryl) Newport, sister in-law, Rebecca (Doug) Gregory, and sister in-law, Gail Newport; along with 26 nieces and nephews and numerous extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Bob; mother, Martha; sisters, Diane, Anne (in infancy); father and mother in-law, Wayne and Mereda Newport; brother in-law, Johnny Newport.

Memorials:
Memorials may be directed to the Donald L. Heimbuch memorial fund in care of the family.

Visitation:
Visitation will be 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. on Monday, April 18, 2011, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave.

Service:
Memorial services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Tuesday, April 19, 2011, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 213 N. Pennsylvania Ave., with Rev. Dan Gerrietts officiating.