Donald Lee Van Soelen, age 84, of Council Bluffs, passed away Nov. 24, 2023, in Missouri Valley. Funeral service was Thursday, Nov. 30, 10:30 a.m. at Community of Christ Church, Council Bluffs. Interment was in Little Sioux Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Community of Christ Church, Omaha Deaf Senior Center, or the Iowa Association of the Deaf.
Don was born Feb. 11, 1939, in Sully to the late Cornelius and Durkie (Rolffs) Van Soelen. He graduated from Iowa School for the Deaf in 1958. Don married Patricia Carritt Apr. 3, 1960. They were blessed with five children: Pamela, Paula, David, Peg, and Thomas. Don worked at Lucent Technologies for 30 years, retiring in 1999. He attended Bethlehem Deaf Lutheran Church and was a member of CB Silent Club, Iowa Association of the Deaf, and Omaha Deaf Senior Center.
In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by his son-in-law Al Stueve; brothers Peter (Henrietta), Ralph, Henry, and Clarence; sisters Dorothy (Nelson) Arkema, Cornelia "Sue" (Bernard) Arkema, Christina (John) Hoebeke, and Marie (Bill) Brandhof.
Don is survived by his wife of 63 years, Patricia Van Soelen of Council Bluffs; five children: Pamela (Kirk) Parsons of Persia, Paula Stueve and David Van Soelen both of Logan, Peg (Nick) Moore and Thomas (Michelle) Van Soelen all of Council Bluffs; 15 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; sister Joanne (Marvin) Sjaardema of Denver, CO; sisters-in-law Bernice Van Soelen of Newton and Millie Van Soelen of Toledo; nieces, nephews, and many friends.
