Donald Ralph Meyer, 88

Donald Ralph Meyer, 88, of Hampton, passed away Monday, April 10, 2023, at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City. Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., Sunday, April 16, 2023, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hampton. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, April 17, 2023, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hampton. Inurnment will take place at the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in rural Hampton. Counsell Woodley Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Hampton is caring for Donald and his family.

Donald was born on April 19, 1934, to Rudolph and Florence Meyer in Hampton, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hampton. Donald attended Maysville Country School in Hampton and graduated from Geneva High School in 1952.

Donald started his love for farming at a young age doing chores and milking Butson’s dairy cows and walking from Hampton to Butson’s to work and enjoyed every minute of it. After graduation, he helped Rudolph farm at Latimer and started working for Clarence Plagge. On June 7, 1957, Donald and Barbara (Kellison) were united in marriage and lived on Clarence Plagge’s farm as a dairy farmer. In 1959, they moved to Hampton and started milking 100 Holsteins for Orval and Asta Marts. In 1961, they moved to a farm near Dougherty and started their own dairy farm to raise their two children. In 1973, Donald lost his right arm in a farming accident helping a neighbor. Big change of way of life for the family. Donald could do almost anything even though it was a challenge. In 1991, they bought Jean’s Café in Rockwell and made many friends that are now considered family. Donald loved visiting and telling many stories.

Donald loved to play horseshoes and attended the World Horseshoe Tournament in Cedar Rapids in 2010. Donald received numerous trophies and medals. Besides horseshoes he loved going to horse shows on weekends with his family during the summer, which was basically their family vacation. Donald’s true enjoyment was spending time with his family. Donald was proud of his family and every accomplishment he could be a part of.

Donald is survived by his wife of sixty-five years, Barbara Meyer; children, Scott (Mary) Meyer of Dougherty, April (Keven) Swenson of Rockwell; four grandchildren, Kyle (Emily) Swenson, Justin (Lena) Meyer, Morgan (special friend Jalen Ohnesorge) Meyer, Haley (Aidan) Sullivan; five great grandchildren, Kason, Theodore and Shane Swenson and Kael and Archer Sullivan; sister DonnaMae (Garth) Willis; along with numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents, Rudolph, and Florence Meyer; brother, Wayne Meyer; sister, Leona Taylor; brother-in-law, Lester Taylor; mother-in-law, Georgia Kellison; father-in-law Lafie Kellison.