Obituary of Donald C. SyWassink

Donald C SyWassink, age 91, Letts, passed away peacefully at home on October 1, 2017.  Funeral services for Donald will be 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 5, 2017, at the Stacy-Lewis Home for Funeral and Cremation Services in Columbus Junction.  Following the funeral services, a time of food and fellowship will be held at the Letts Community Center.  Burial will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery at a later date.  Visitation for Donald will be held on Wednesday, October 4, 2017, from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.  Memorials may be directed to the local FFA organizations in memory of Donald.  Online condolences may be left to the family at www.lewisfuneralhomes.com.

            Donald Clyde SyWassink was born on July 28, 1926 in Muscatine, Iowa to Henry and Hattie SyWassink.  He graduated from Muscatine High School in 1944.  Donald married Dorothy Zimmermann in 1950 and moved to a farm near Wapello in 1951. Here they began their Guernsey dairy herd along with registered Chester White hogs.  In 1960, they moved the dairy to their current farm location west of Grandview.  They continued with Don’s passion of raising Guernsey Dairy cattle along with Chester White hogs.  Into this mix, Don and Dorothy enjoyed bringing up 7 children, with Steven joining Don on managing the dairy farm.  Over the years, Don was involved in several dairy and community organizations that included Iowa Guernsey Breeders Association,  American Guernsey Association, Farm Bureau, Swiss Valley Farms (was an original Board of Director ), 4-H leader and local community/neighborhood activities.  He received several Dairy Industry recognitions including the Master Guernsey Breeder Award in 2002.

            Don had other passions and hobbies.  He was an avid rose grower trying new hybrids in his gardens over the years.  Don has traveled around the country attending the National Guernsey Conventions with the opportunity to see both coasts.  Don was also a proud supporter of the local youth groups such as FFA and 4-H. He has also traveled throughout the Midwest attending his grandchildren’s graduations and weddings.

            Don is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Dorothy; his children Marian (Bill) Vavra of Wichita, KS, Joan (Allen) Muhs of Rochester, MN, Bob (Diane) SyWassink of Letts, IA, Anne (Craig) Haussmann of Levasy, MO, Janice (Neil) Jensen of Comstock, WI, Janell (Jim) Seubert of Columbia Heights, MN, and Steven of Grandview, IA; many loving grandchildren and great grandchildren; brother Duane (Beverly) SyWassink of Normal, IL and many other loving family members.  He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother and sister in law, Ralph and Beverly SyWassink.