Donald “Don” Lloyd De Cook, age 94, of Indianola, Iowa, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Sunday, April 12, 2026, at the VA Medical Center Hospice in Des Moines.

Don was born on September 10, 1931, in Pella, Iowa, to Gradus and Bertha De Cook.

He proudly served his country in the United States Army from September 23, 1952, to September 22, 1954, and later in the Army Reserve until 1960. During his military service, Don was stationed at Camp Carson, Colorado (now Fort Carson), where he trained dogs for duties supporting the Korean War and the Military Police Corps.

Don met the love of his life, Pauline Vander Molen, on a Sunday evening on the town square in Pella. They began dating in the summer of 1952 and were united in marriage on September 29, 1954, at Second Christian Reformed Church in Pella. Together they built a life south of Pella, where they welcomed their two children, Karen and Mike.

In 1960, Don and his family moved to a farm near Milo, Iowa, where he spent many years farming hogs, cattle, and chickens. It was there they raised their children and later enjoyed the blessing of 4 grandchildren. Don retired in 1995, shortly after he and Pauline moved to Indianola in 1993.

Don cherished time with his family. He loved taking his grandchildren to the sale barn, giving tractor rides, and enjoyed boat outings with the older grandchildren. Family traditions included trips to Branson to see the Christmas lights and summer Sunday dinners by their pool.

He also enjoyed playing cards, fishing, traveling, listening to gospel music, and, in his later years, gathering with friends for coffee at Hy-Vee in Indianola.

Don is survived by his beloved wife, Pauline De Cook of Indianola; his children, Karen (Mike) Nelson of Milo and Mike (Robin) De Cook of Milo; grandchildren, Jeremy Baker, Maranda De Cook, Ondrea (Nick) Mysak, and Brandon (Emily) De Cook; and great-grandchildren Asher, Axton, Hudson, Aurora, Witten, Olivia, and Hollyn. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Robert (Sandra) De Cook of Pella and his sister-in-law, Pauline De Cook of Rochester, Minnesota.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gradus and Bertha De Cook; and his siblings Arthur (Evelyn) De Cook, Wilma (Dick) Rus, Margaret (Lawrence) VanZante, and Henry De Cook.

A burial will be at a later date.