Published in Pilot Tribune on 13 September 2005

Veteran, army, World War II

Donald K. Holstein, 84, of Alta, Iowa, died Aug. 23, 2005, at Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake, Iowa.

Funeral services were Aug. 27 at the United Methodist Church in Alta. Inurnment was at Woodlawn Cemetery in Alta, with military honors provided by Alta VFW Post No. 6172.

Donald Keith Holstein wasa born May 29, 1921, in Powell, Wyo., to Edward and Laura (Benforf) Holstein. He attended rural schools near Blair.

He served for three years during World War II in the United States Army. He was in battles at Normandy, in northern France, the Ardennes, and Rhineland.

He drove for Denver Chicago Trucking Company of Blair, and later owned his own trucks and DX tank at Alta and Storm Lake.

On Jan. 17, 1948, he was married to Donna Lee Fitch at Blair.

He enjoyed all sports, especially football, basketball, and track at Alta. After retiring, he and his wife enjoyed living in Phoenix, Ariz., Blair, and in Alta.

He is survived by his wife, Donna, of Alta; a son and daughter-in-law, Jeffrey and Patsy of Sioux City, Iowa; daughter and son-in-law, Jodi and John Chirinos of Phoenix; two grandchildren; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Walter of Los Angeles, Calif., Marvin and Marjorie of Early, Iowa, and Roger and Patty of Phoenix; sister and brothers-in-law, Phyllis and Delmer Burns of Alta, Iowa; brother-in-law and wife, Joe and Phyllis Fitch of Blair; two sisters-in-law,and husband, Frances and Leonard Beard of Lyons and Lillian Holstein of Alta; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by an infant sister; a daughter, Dawn Janell; three brothers, Chris, Raymond and Gene; and two sisters, Ethyl and Gladys.