Donald Ried

Donald D. Ried, 86, of Eldridge, Iowa, passed away on Friday, December 2, 2022 at Fieldstone Care Center in DeWitt, Iowa.

His funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, December 8, 2022 at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Eldridge.  Visitation will be held from 9:00 am. until the time of the services on Thursday at the church.  Burial will follow at Rock Island National Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Ethnos 360, a Christian mission organization to be used in conjunction with Don's grandson’s, Greg (Kadie) Ried’s ministry of Bible translation for unreached people groups.  The link to the organization for those that would like to donate online is as follows: https://ethnos360.org/missionaries/greg-and-kadie-ried

Chambers Funeral Home of Eldridge is assisting the family with arrangements.

Don was born February 19, 1936 in Des Moines, IA, the youngest of five children.

He was married to Loretta Jean Lynde on September 21, 1957.  Don and Loretta were both born and raised in Des Moines and continued to live there until 1971.  While in Des Moines they had five children.

Don graduated from Des Moines Tech High School and joined the Iowa Air National Guard in 1954 as an aircraft maintenance technician where he served for 13 years. He accepted a position with Patterson Dental in 1968 and moved to Lake View in 1971. In 1982, Healthco Dental Supply bought out Patterson Dental so Don and Loretta moved to Eldridge IA. He joined the Army National Guard in 1978 and served in the reserves until 1986 for a total of over 20 years of military service. Don retired in 1997, which gave him even more time to do what he really loved, working in his shop where he spent every “spare” hour.  In earlier years, he loved to build toys out of Volkswagens. In retirement, his passion turned more to woodworking, which he mastered with professional quality.

1 Corinthians 4:2 “Moreover, it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.”  He faithfully served the Lord and his church wherever they lived.   He was also faithful to his wife of 64 years, and his family.  A one-word description of Don is “Integrity”.  He is also responsible for creating the “Ried” sense of humor.

Don celebrated 64 Christmases with his wife until God called Loretta home in June of this year. With his home-going in December, they will celebrate 65 consecutive Christmases together, with 2022 being the first one in Heaven together in the presence of Jesus.

Family left to cherish his memory include children: Tim (Ginnie) Ried of Newell, David Ried of Winterset, Dawnetta (Marvin) Van Ee of Eldridge, Scott (Ronda) Ried of St Francis, Minnesota, and Dwight (Deb) Ried of Newell; grandchildren: Ben (Misty) Ried, Greg (Kadie) Ried, (Mike) Rachel Schaffner, Jake (Jennifer) Ried, Matt (Leah) Ried, (Jeff) Elisabeth Glas, Danielle Ried, Jesse Ried, Josh Ried, Amanda Ried, Donavin (Colleen) Van Ee, (Steve) Marcie Bradley, Valerie Van Ee, Aaron Ried, Hannah Ried, Noah Ried, Levi Ried, Rebecca Ried, Sam (Hannah) Ried and Renee Ried, 29 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Loretta; parents, Carl and Flossie Ried; siblings Robert Ried, Ellen Ried, John Ried, and Paul Ried; and the little ones created by God that were only known in the womb or died at birth.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting Don’s obituary at www.McGinnis-Chambers.com.