Donald Keith Estle

Donald Keith Estle

Washington

Donald Keith Estle, age 83, of Washington, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics after a five-year battle with blood cancer.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday, September 19, 2024, at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home. Calling hours will begin 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Interment will take place at the Conesville Cemetery in Conesville, Iowa. Memorials have been established for Washington County Public Health or the Washington Public Library. Online condolences can be sent for Don’s family at www.jonesfh.com.

Don was born November 2, 1940, in Muscatine, Iowa, the son of Freeman and Marie (Hotz) Estle. He attended Conesville School through eleventh grade; after consolidation, he graduated from Columbus Community Schools. He was the first Columbus senior excused for on-the-job training in farming.

Starting at a young age, Don had a strong work ethic, working for truck farmers and baling hay in the Conesville area. After graduation he was one of the original employees of Columbus Junction Rath Packing where he worked 23 years. During this time he also farmed the family land in Conesville. When Rath closed, he was a carpenter at Packaged Structures in Iowa City, and then a plumber for Chowns Appliance in Nichols. Before retirement, he worked five years at the University of Iowa as a custodian and continued after retirement working part-time at Washington County Hospitals and Clinics. He had a passion for gardening, farming and all hands-on projects.

Donald Estle and Joann Coon were married on June 5, 1964. They celebrated their 60th Anniversary this summer. He became a devoted “girl dad” to three daughters, Julie (Joe) Murphy of Keota, Brenda (Ken) Braun of Ankeny, Debra (Scott) Ayres of Johnston. Don especially enjoyed spending time with his six grandchildren; Brennan (Brianna) Murphy, Keaton Murphy, Alyssa Braun, Aaron Braun, Jonah Ayres, and Shane Ayres.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Mary Ann Ash and brother-in-law Louis Ash, mother-in-law and father-in-law Raymond and Frances Coon.