Donald T. Holmes

Donald T. Holmes, 90, of Huron, SD and formerly of Mason City, IA, died Monday, November 23, 2015, at St. John’s Hospital in Maplewood, MN. A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, November 27, 2015, at Epiphany Parish Holy Family Catholic Church, 714 N. Adams – Mason City IA, with Rev. Neil Manternach officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the church service. Interment will take place in Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Donald Holmes memorial fund in care of the family.

Donald was born December 10, 1924, in Clarion, IA, the son of Guy Kenneth and Katie (Russell) Holmes. He attended school in Eagle Grove, IA before graduating from Rockford High School in Rockford, IA in 1942. Donald farmed until being drafted into the U.S. Army in 1948. Due to his father’s health he was discharged to help on the family farm. In 1950, he was recalled and he proudly served his country during the Korean War until his honorable discharge in 1951.

Donald married Annell J. Mineart on October 6, 1951, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Mason City. In 1968, the family moved to Huron, SD where Donald continued to work for The Federal Aviation Administration for many years. Following his retirement in 1987, Donald worked as an instructor at the Oklahoma City FAA Academy for two years. He also sold seed corn for many years.
Donald was an avid fisherman who also enjoyed pheasant hunting and traveling with his wife Annell. He was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Parish in Huron, SD where he was involved with the Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of the American Legion, VFW, Sportsman’s Club, Camper Club, NARFE and a former member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Mason City.

Donald is survived by his wife of 64 years: Annell Holmes of Huron, SD; 2 children: Jim Holmes and wife Kathy Kilian of Oakdale, MN and Renee Clodfelter and husband Kim of Madison, WI; 3 grandchildren: Joe Clodfelter of Milwaukee, WI, Matthew Clodfelter of Milwaukee, and Rachel Clodfelter of San Francisco, CA; 2 brothers: Max Holmes and wife Mickey of Hampton, IA and Dean Holmes of Cypress, CA; 2 sisters: Lynette Swinton and husband Glen of Marble Rock, IA and Mary Lee Sutherland of Coeur D’alene, UT. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; 1 brother: Kenneth; and 2 sisters: Elizabeth and Winnie.