Donald T. Beals

Donald T. Beals, 85, of Sioux City passed away Thursday, May 10, 2018 at home with his family by his side.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 A.M. Monday, May 14, 2018 at Holy Cross Parish-St. Michael. Visitation will be Sunday, May 13, 2018 from 4-8 P.M. with the family present from 6-8 P.M. and a Vigil Service at 7:00 P.M. all at the church. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery.

Donald Thomas Beals was born on June 13, 1932, in Sioux City, the son of Thomas and Monnie (Eastman) Beals. Don graduated with the class of 1950 from Leeds High School. He then went on to Morningside College and transferred to Iowa State University where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering in March of 1955.

He married Mary Lou Hedemark in 1954 at the Little White Catholic Church in Leeds. Don supported his family by working in various engineering roles over the years. The last 30 years were spent at Wilson Trailer Company in Sioux City, where he became Vice President of Engineering before retiring in 1994.

Don had a passion for singing and shared his love of music with the parish of St. Michael as a cantor and in the choir. He loved to harmonize with the Siouxland Barbershop Chorus, The Three Shorts and a Long, and Senior Sounds Quartet. He also enjoyed singing with the Senior Center Chorus.

He was an active volunteer for many organizations in Siouxland. He enjoyed delivering food for Meals on Wheels. Don was an active member of the Kiwanis Organization, where he delighted in coordinating the Kiwanis Aktion Club with his daughter Linda, who is actively involved. Other organizations who benefited from his involvement were the June E. Nylen Cancer Center and the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. Don also was an active blood donor and read to special-ed grade school children. In 2014 Don received the Iowa Governor’s Volunteer Award. He had many hobbies including golfing and bowling.

To Don, family was everything! He hosted a family dinner for all who could attend every Sunday. He would also welcome friends and extended family as well. You would find him at any of his children’s or grandchildren’s activities, and he was their #1 fan. In his downtime you would find him rooting for the Chicago Cubs, Bears, or Bulls sports teams. He was elated to be able to watch the Chicago Cubs finally win the World Series in 2016.

He will be greatly missed by his family. His children: John (Paula) Beals of Indianapolis, IN, Ronald Beals, Robert (Barb) Beals, Daniel (Trula) Beals, Catherine (Joseph) Mousel, Linda Beals, Susan (Mark) Green all of Sioux City; grandchildren: Meredith, Ian, Abby, and Cayley Beals, Reyna Ebner and Lily Beals, Michael, Brian and Anna Beals, Zachary and Hannah Beals, Thomas (Allison) and Daniel Mousel, Jakob and Lydia Green; great grandchildren: Joseph Donald, Emma Jean, Brooklyn, and Easton; his special nieces Judy Bailey Harmon and Gayle Madsen; along with several other nieces and nephews; his in laws: Phil and Judy Barker; Peter Hedemark; and Marilee and Ginger Hedemark.

He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Lou, his parents, a sister Darlene and her husband Roy Bailey, and a nephew, Gary Bailey.

Memorials may be given to Kiwanis Aktion Club, Meals on Wheels, or Hospice of Siouxland in Don’s memory.