Don Lender, 56, of Grinnell died Jan. 29, 2016, at Grinnell Regional Medical Center.
Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 2, at the Grinnell High School gymnasium with Pastor Brian Chitwood, Madison Church of Christ, and Pastor Todd Follette, Grinnell Friends Church, officiating. Pallbearers were J. D. Barns, Steve Bernemann, Shawn Edelen, Chris Estelle, Doug Kies, Randy Nikkel, Troy Schilder, John Schultz, and Tim Schultz. Burial was in Hazelwood Cemetery, Grinnell. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Don Lender Memorial Fund.
Don was born Aug. 5, 1959, in Grinnell, the son of Mary Bortell. He was raised by his mother in Searsboro and was a 1978 graduate of Lynnville-Sully High School.
Following high school, he was employed with Lynnville Seed and later with Kaisand Electric in Grinnell. In 1982, he began his long career with the Grinnell-Newburg School District, more notably as Building and Grounds Superintendent. For several years, he also worked part-time with Ahrens Park in Grinnell.
On June 20, 1980, he was united in marriage with Kim Wertz in Grinnell, where the couple continued to make their home.
Don enjoyed sports and was very active in coaching Grinnell seventh-grade basketball, eighth-grade football, and AAU basketball. He enjoyed mentoring and inspiring his players to play at a high level and performing at the best of their abilities. He was an avid fan of the Grinnell Tigers, Iowa State Cyclones, and Chicago Bears. Although hunting was a passion, what he enjoyed the most was spending time with his son. He was a Good Samaritan and did what he could to help others. He knew no stranger. Volunteering with the Grinnell Fire Department and becoming a Poweshiek County Auxiliary Deputy Sheriff were big in defining how he cared for people. With his sense of humor, he enjoyed pulling pranks and making people laugh. He looked forward every day to Daisy-time, or his daily walks with his beagle, Daisy. Most importantly, was his love for his family.
Survivors include his wife, Kim of Grinnell; his son, Dalton of Grinnell; three brothers, Bob (Lynette) Lender of Brooklyn, Jeff (Tammy) Lender, and Phil Lender, all of Grinnell; and Daisy, his pet beagle. He was preceded in death by his mother.
