Donnie Chizek

Donnie D. Chizek, 75, of Fort Dodge, passed away on Monday, December 11, 2023, at Mary Greely Medical Center in Ames.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, December 16th at 3:00 PM in the Chapel of the Laufersweiler Funeral Home followed by Military Rites will be conducted by the V.F.W. Post 1856 and the U.S. Army Honor Guard all at the funeral home. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 1:00 to 3:00 at the funeral home.

Survivors include his wife Virginia (Gini) of Fort Dodge, daughters Kassandra (Holland III) Smith of Albany, OR, Lyndsey (Tom) Steck of Fort Dodge, and his granddaughter Noelle Steck.

He was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Matie (Harmsen) Chizek, father and mother-in-law Anton and Pearl (Vinge) Peterson, sister Gerene Lassen and brother-in-laws Merlin Lassen, and brother-in-law Bill Peterson.

Donnie Dean Chizek was born on May 18, 1948, in Waterloo, IA. He was raised and educated in Traer, IA, and he graduated from North Tama County Community High School in 1966. Donnie then attended and graduated from Mankato State College in Minnesota with a degree in Liberal Arts. On July 23, 1969, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served his country during the Vietnam War until his honorable discharge on June 11, 1971. On June 15, 1974, he was united in marriage to Virginia Peterson at Aldergate United Methodist Church in Minneapolis, MN. The couple made their home in Fort Dodge. Donnie worked at K-Mart for 17 years in the marketing department and later in shipping and receiving. He then went to work at Webster City Products which was later called Frigidaire and then Electrolux. He retired from there in 2007. Donnie enjoyed hunting and fishing with his girls. He loved cold beer. In 2008, his unit from the U.S. Army was flown to Washington, D.C. and they received the Presidential Unit Citation from President Obama. Trips and family get togethers were another favorite of his at their home in Okoboji.

Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.

Click the link below to watch the Tribute Video:

https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/R89RL88GCTF5NF8G?e=1