Funeral services for Don will take place on Saturday, February 6 at 2:00 P.M. at Marshalltown Church of the Nazarene. A visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 1:00 P.M. Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery. The family asks all attendees to wear masks and practice social distancing, as well as “hug with your hearts.” For those unable to attend, the service will be available to view on the Mitchell Family Funeral Home Facebook page. Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation. For additional questions or to leave a condolence, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234. Mitchell Family Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of Don and his family.

Born Donald Bruce Crow on August 3, 1928 in Prole, Iowa, he was the son of Bruce and Edna (Smith) Crow. Don graduated from Indianola High School in 1946 and furthered his education at Simpson College. He went on to receive his Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Drake University.

After meeting the love of his life, Martha Jean Baxendale, they were united in marriage on August 7, 1949 at North River Church in Warren County. His passion for enriching the lives of children led to a lifelong career in education, a loving home for their own children and the opening of their own home to many foster children. His career as a teacher began at only 18, while he was working toward his teaching certificate. Over the years, he taught at Mount Olive District #5, Section 14 in the Greenfield Township of Warren County, as well as Le Grand, St. Charles and Audubon, Iowa. In 1958, his family moved to Marshalltown, where he taught mostly 6thgrade at Hanson Elementary and Franklin Elementary until he retired in 1989. After retirement, he worked for 20 years at H&R Block and continued substitute teaching in the district until 2007. Don especially enjoyed subbing for his son who taught 6thgrade at Miller Middle School.

Don had a strong faith and was an active member of the Church of the Nazarene for over 50 years, earning him the honor of a Distinguished Service Award. In his free time, he enjoyed traveling in their family trailer and motorhome, hiking, boating, beekeeping, reading the paper and photography. Don deeply loved his family and enjoyed their times gathered together.

Left to cherish Don’s memory is his loving wife of 71 years, Martha; his children: Larry and Betty Kadner, Ron (Lorraine) Crow, Donna (Scott) Goodwin, and Lester (Wendie) Kadner; grandchildren: Jen (Brandon) Sills, Alicia (Jeremy) Sears, Ashley (Jason) Nusbaum, Kelsy (Mario) Orelus, Kendra (Ryan) Giffin, Ethan Crow (Maria Lovin), Jason (Mistry) Maxwell, Jamie (Jim) Schelling, John (Jenni) Kadner and Vanessa (Joe) Kumor; 25 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; siblings: Wayne Crow, Larry Crow and Maxine (Otto) Bussanmas; foster daughter Janet (Rev. Brent) DeSilva; numerous foster children and many other relatives.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Bruce and Edna; brothers: Lester Crow and Dale Crow; in-laws: Thomas and Gertrude Baxendale; sisters-in-law: Kay Crow and Joyce Crow and grandson-in-law, Greg Huseboe.