Donald V. Faber

Donald V. Faber, 76, of Sioux City, passed away unexpectedly at his home on October 14, 2024.

Services will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, October 22, with Fr. Randy Schon officiating at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Sioux City, Iowa. Visitation with the family present will be on Monday, October 21, 2024, from 5-7 PM with a prayer vigil at 7 PM at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel in Sioux City. A private burial in Cherokee, Iowa at Mount Calvary Cemetery will follow the funeral mass and luncheon.

Don was born on February 18, 1948, in Cherokee, Iowa to Ruth (Fierk) and Arnold Faber. He was the youngest of three children. He grew up in Cherokee, graduating from Immaculate Conception High School in 1966. On October 18, 1969, he was united in marriage to Melanie Mohn in Sioux City, Iowa. They were blessed with four daughters, Angela, Melissa, Diana, and Elizabeth. He attended Westmar College in LeMars, Iowa and graduated with a Bachelor of Science/Business degree in 1970. Don joined Northwestern Bell Telephone Company in Council Bluffs where he resided with Melanie and Angie until 1972 when he was transferred to Sioux City as a Communications Supervisor, and eventually became the Marketing Service Manager.

After 22 years with Northwestern Bell, the company changed hands to become US West and Don made a career change. He became the Director of Communications and Materials Management for Marian Health Center in Sioux City. He continued on with his education, completing a Master of Business Administration from Wayne State College in May of 2000. Marian Health Center changed their name during this time to Mercy Health Center and became a part of the Trinity Health Corporation. Don joined their HMO team as sales manager for two years until they closed the business. He went on to become the Sales Manager for Three Rivers Benefit Corporation, dealing with self-funded health care plans and employee benefits. Don retired in December of 2015 and continued on a part time basis with his health insurance clients, which he happily maintained services for until the time of his death.

 His work ethic, quick wit, and positive attitude were unmatched as he experienced these series of career changes. In his own words he wrote “I have been through closings, career changes, and been right-sized, down-sized, re-engineered and it all meant the same thing. Out of one opportunity and into the next one. I just hope to get to heaven before the Good Lord closes it.” Don always looked on the bright side of life and was one to always see the bigger picture in any situation. He was the best advice giver that we have ever known.

In addition to his four daughters, Don had eight grandchildren, three boys and five girls. Don liked to spend time with his family at their many cookouts, celebrating all of the birthdays and holidays with his daughters and their families. He loved spending time being in the great outdoors and spent many years on the golf course perfecting his golf swing. He also loved riding his bike, cooking, going to the casino, and maintaining and trading his many cars and trucks. He was known for keeping a spotless vehicle and had the cleanest interior ever seen in every car he ever owned. In addition to his time spent with his family, his best times were spent with all of the dogs in his life. His four-legged friends included all of the pets in his family, and his extra special furry friends, Biscuit, Major, Nina, Gordy, and Mulligan. They all brought the biggest smile to his face upon every greeting.

Survivors include his life partner, Janice Olson, his daughters, Angela (Tim) Zuehl; Melissa (Mike) Hames; Diana (Miles) Petersen; Elizabeth Faber; and their mother, Melanie Faber, all of Sioux City; his grandchildren, Megan and Nicole Zuehl; Nicholas, Benjamin, and Katelyn Hames; Carter, Olivia, and Karalyn Petersen; brother Andrew Faber, of Grand Prairie, TX; and many other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Janice Hargadine.