ATKINS: Donald Arnold Waterman, 97, of Atkins, Iowa, died Sunday, August 2, 2026.

Visitation will be held in the Fellowship Hall at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in Atkins on Sunday, August 9 from 3:00-6:00 PM. The funeral will be held at the church on Monday, August 10 at 10:30 AM with burial to follow at St. Stephen’s Cemetery.

Donald was born in Luzerne to Walter and Alice Kramer Waterman on November 26, 1928. His mother died when he was four years old. Walter later married Martha Wurch who lovingly raised Don as her own. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Luzerne. When he was in high school, the family moved to Atkins. It was at Atkins High School that he met the love of his life, Eunice Fett. They were married on December 20, 1948 and enjoyed a long and happy marriage, celebrating their 75th wedding anniversary just before Eunice died in 2023.

Don enlisted in the United States Army on October 14,1948 for 21 months. He was released on December 5, 1949 and transferred to Army Reserve. He was called back to active duty on September 13, 1950 and was discharged on November 6, 1951. During his military career he was stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, Fort Gordon, Georgia, Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, the Pentagon, and Camp McCoy, Wisconsin. He was most proud of his work as a Cryptographic Technician. Following Don’s military service, the couple settled into the home Don built in Atkins. They were blessed with three children – David, Lori, and Susan. He worked as a carpenter for Chris Haerther Construction. In 1955, he became a carpenter and superintendent for Rinderknecht Associates until his retirement in 1994. In later years, he worked at the Atkins Telephone Company and served on its Board of Directors. Throughout his life, Don served his church as Sunday School Teacher, School Board Director, Elder, Trustee, and Treasurer, as well as on many other committees. He was also a member of the Atkins Fire Department.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; wife Eunice; brothers Warren, Keith, and Robert; son David; and sister-in-law Evelyn. He is survived by his daughters Lori (Dick) Trah and Susan (Dan) Voss; daughter-in-law Sherry Waterman; grandchildren Kari (Jason) Johnson, Kelly (Ben) Phelps, Lindsey (Justin) Vorthmann, Nathanael Trah, Christian Trah, Daniel (Kimberly) Voss, Brian (Nicole) Voss, and Matthew (Abby) Voss; great-grandchildren Natalie and Amy Johnson, Megan and Chloe Phelps, Marley Voss, and Benjamin Voss; sisters-in-law, Kathryn and Judy Waterman, and much-loved nieces, nephews, and friends.

The family would like to thank Don’s caregivers, Deb, Stacy, Amy, and Morgan who made it possible for him to remain in his home for as long as he did. Thanks also to the Keystone Nursing Care Center and Essence of Life Hospice for the loving care given to him in his last months on Earth.

Memorials may be directed to St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church or the Atkins Fire Department.