January 1, 1944 - December 1, 2022
Don Noel West was born Jan. 1, 1941, in Ida Grove son of Russell and Hilda (Lohff) West. He grew up in Ida Grove graduating from Ida Grove High School in 1959. Following high school, Don received his Bachelor of Arts from Morningside University and continued his education at University of South Dakota where he obtained his master’s degree in administration. Don also attended Iowa State University for the Educational Specialist - Superintendent Program.
On July 25, 1964, he was united in Marriage to Raona Petersen. They made their home in Buffalo Center, where Don was the school administrator at North Iowa for over 20 years. Don also worked at the Titonka and Corwith-Wesley-Luverne school districts until retiring in 2003.
Don enjoyed farming, fishing, hiking and doing anything outdoors. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family and playing cards with his grandchildren. A favorite of Don’s was family vacations, making sure they stopped at all the museums. His passion for education was exemplified from stories and comments by former students. Every student was important to him. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Lakota.
Don died Thursday, Dec. 1 at Mercy Medical Center in Mason City. He was 81.
He is survived by his wife, Raona of Buffalo Center; children, Greg (Kay) West of Winter Haven, Fla., and their children, Joshua (Amy) West and their two kids, Elliott and Hailey, Tyler West, Gayle (Paul) Kittelson of Bondurant and their children, Hannah Kittelson, Noah (Andrea) Kittelson and their son, Harper, Gina (Tim) McAllister of Sparta, Wis., and their children, Jacob McAllister, Lucas (fiance, Juliette) McAllister, Glee Christ of Lexington, Ky., Glenn Christ of Lakota and their children Ariana Willoughby, Larissa Christ and her son, Soren, Leah Christ, Gary (Kay) West of Scottsdale, Ariz., and their children, Ryan West and Lauren West. Don is also survived by his siblings, Verna, Frances, Randall, Nadine, Ardelle, Dewey, Carole; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death are his parents; and siblings, Judson and Bonnie.