Donald ‘Don’ Lensing

Aug. 12, 1929 —

Nov. 2, 2020

 

PROTIVIN - Donald Lensing, age 91, of Protivin, Iowa, died on Monday, Nov. 2, 2020, at his home.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Protivin with Rev. Nick Radloff officiating. Interment was in the church cemetery.

Donald “Don” B. Lensing, son of John and Regina (Tierney) Lensing of Lawler, Iowa, was born on Aug. 12, 1929. He attended country school then graduated from Lawler in 1948. He was united in marriage to Norma Taylor on Nov. 8, 1950 at St. Wenceslaus Church in Spillville, Iowa. They were blessed with 70 wonderful years together.

Don entered the U.S. Army on Feb. 6, 1951 and served his country for two years in the Korean War. He was stationed at Fort Campbell, Ky., where Norma was glad to be able to join him. 

After his discharge, the couple returned to Iowa and started farming south of Protivin. They built a new home and moved to town in 1960, where they continue to reside today. Don worked for Oscar Mayer for 20 years then went on his own with his son, Mike, starting Lensing Livestock. 

In 1985, they built The Mint, a restaurant/tavern in Protivin, and operated the business for nine-and-a-half years. During these years, Don served on the town council for two years before becoming mayor for 10 years. He was a member of American Legion Post 605 in Protivin for 50 years.

Don enjoyed fishing, turtle fishing, farming, socializing, telling stories, traveling and spending time with family and friends. He said you could never have enough friends and would leave you with the phrase “Keep smiling.”

Don is survived by wife, Norma; their four children, Michael (Theresa) Lensing of Protivin, David Lensing (special friend, Sharon Holt) of Waukon, Iowa, Diane Reicks of Lawler and Mary (Rich) Dreckman of Harpers Ferry, Iowa; grandchildren, Marcia (Jarret) Sands of Noblesville, Ind., Carol (Jeff) Korsmo of Cresco, Iowa, Donna (Mike) Vsetecka of Fort Atkinson, Iowa, Jennifer Hart of Waterloo, Iowa, Brian (Tonya) Reicks of Lawler, Paula (Casey) Ryan of St. Paul, Neb., Barry (Amanda) Reicks of Lawler, Austin (Katelyn) Reicks of Cresco, Kyle Dreckman of Waterville, Iowa and Chelsey Dreckman of Iowa City, Iowa; great-grandchildren, Ethan, Jake, Cade, Owen, Jackson, Morgan, Jalila, Jalen, Tyler, Gracie, Grady, Reed, Etta, Lucas, Jaila, Amelia and Lydia; two brothers, Gerald (Irene) Lensing of Lawler and Clair Lensing (Mary El) of Marion, Iowa; brother-in-law, Alvin Taylor of Cresco, Iowa; and sister-in-law, Kay (Joe) Schmitt of Sarasota, Fla.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, John and Regina Lensing; father- and mother-in-law, Fred and Francis Taylor; brother- and sister-in-law, Leonard and Marcella Svestka; sister-in-law, Beatrice Taylor; son-in-law, Roger Reicks; and great-grandson, Matthew Vsetecka.