Donald Nolte

Don Nolte, 81, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, June 10, 2009, at the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic.

Donald Eugene Nolte was born October 12, 1927, north of Wiota, Iowa, the son of Leo A. and Clara P. (Burtcheard) Nolte. He attended school and helped his dad on the farm until enlisting in the United States Army. Don was a Corporal in the United States Army serving his country during WWII.

On June 3, 1951, he married Shirley Butler in Omaha, Nebraska.

He worked for various service stations, drove ambulance for AK Ambulance, and was a Route Salesman for Sather Cookies for 12 years and for Coke for 15 years. Don also owned Nolte Sanitation for 5 years and Nolte Engraving for 12 years.

Don was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and the American Legion. He was also a member of the Whirl-A-Ways and served as President and a caller.

Don was gifted as an excellent narrator of tales. He enjoyed his Thursday evening dinners with members of his square dance club. He previously belonged to card clubs and would eagerly play his favorites, Pinochle and Cribbage. Other hobbies included wood carving and making very tasty chocolate chip, sugar and Christmas cookies. Don had become quite a good cook when Shirley's health failed and he became her caretaker. Most of all, Don enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.

Don is survived by his children, Linda (Leland) Lensch of Elliott, Iowa, Tom (Nancy) Nolte of Grass Lake, Michigan, Keith (Vicky) Nolte of Carroll, Iowa, Cindy (Royce) Sarsfield of Atlantic, Iowa, Dan Nolte of Loveland, Colorado, Denise Klever (Dave Gatrel) of Atlantic, Iowa; his grandchildren, Tressa (Rick) Kirchner, David (Dana McCormick) Lensch, Christine (Dennis McGeorge) Lensch, Nicholas Nolte, Zachary Nolte, Wendy (Troy) Hardisty, Melissa (Jeremy) Seufert, Nichole (Chet Deranek) Nolte, Blaine (Heather Prall) Nolte, Shawn (Melissa) Sarsfield, Jodi (Matt) Dorscher, Aaron (Trina) Sarsfield, Rachel (Steve) Griffiths, Bethany (Adam Wheeler) Klever, Andrew (Erica Waltz) Klever and Blake Klever; step-grandchildren, Cory and Kristi Hayes; 28 great-grandchildren; his sisters, Doris (Bob) Evans of Elliott, Iowa and Marlene Potter of Audubon, Iowa; sister-in-law, Beverely Moller of Omaha, Nebraska; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Shirley; sister, Judy Swope; and brother-in-law, Alfred Potter.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, June 13, 2009, in the chapel at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa, with Reverend Leon Hodges, Hospice Chaplain, officiating.

Burial will be in the Atlantic Cemetery, with military rites by the Atlantic Color Guard.

Visitation will be from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, June 12, 2009, at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, with the family present to greet friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa, is helping the family with the arrangements.