"My mother, Marguerite Bormann Laubenthal, lived right down the hall from Don at Good Samaritan. She spoke of Don often because she remembered him from High School days at St Joe. Sincere condolences to all of you for the loss of your father and brother. Several times we said hello to him on our way to see Mom if he was in his room. I\'m the oldest (Marie) of six in our family, the Maurice Laubenthal family from Wesley. Mom felt bad when she told me Don died so I told her I\'d post this on the website."
In loving memory of
Donald G. Reding
June 29, 1928 - March 8, 2021
Funeral Mass for Don Reding was held on Saturday, March 13, 2021 at 11:00 AM at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in St. Joe. Burial took place in the Church Cemetery in St. Joe with Military Honors conducted by the Livermore American Legion Otto-Field Post #415.
Donald George Reding was born on June 29, 1928, to John B. and Elizabeth (Wagner) Reding. Don grew up in St. Joe, Iowa, and graduated from St. Joseph Catholic School in 1946. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was deployed in the Korean Conflict. After discharge, Don worked on the family farm, established Don's Oil Company, was an oil jobber for Champlin Oil, then for Union 76. He was co-owner of the Chrome Truck Stop and leased several Casey's General stores.
Don and Norma met at The Plantation Ballroom in Whittemore, Iowa and they were united in marriage on May 21, 1957, in St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Wesley. They made their home in St. Joe, Iowa, and were blessed with six children.
Don dedicated his life to his family, his friends, and his parish community. He was a long-time member of the Knights of Columbus and a 4th degree Knight. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed his trips fishing up north and with his brothers. He also enjoyed golfing, grilling (with a cocktail in hand), gardening, and lawn work. Don loved to watch sports and the news (and Norma learned to like it too!). Among his favorite teams were Notre Dame Fighting Irish, the St. Louis Cardinals, and the Minnesota Vikings.
Don and Norma enjoyed traveling to visit their children and were especially excited when a new grandchild was born. They were there for all important occasions - ball games, moving, graduations, and helping family members during health crises and home improvement projects.
Many people say a way to a man's heart is through his stomach. Mom knew the way to Dad's heart, and all of his unique culinary preferences. For example, cookies were only done if they were extra brown and crispy. German pancakes required a side of sour green beans. Homemade sausage required cottage cheese and white bread, with karo syrup. In addition, and foremost, extra onions and vinegar added to his potato salad, cabbage salad, cucumbers... "This needs more onions, Norma!" Homemade ice cream was a special treat at holiday time, but any given day of the week ice cream was not only a treat but a staple. Dad would say, "There's always room for ice cream."
Enduring our crosses is never easy, but in time with the love of his family, and his strong faith, Don endured and accepted God's plan for him. Mom and Dad frequently prayed the rosary, and this continued to be a source of comfort as his health declined.
Don and Norma moved from St. Joseph to Algona in 2013. Don died on March 8, 2021 at the Good Samaritan Society, Algona, surrounded by several loved ones.
Don is survived by his six children, Lauri (Dana) Arndorfer of Corwith, IA; Jackie (Craig) Thill of Superior, CO; Dave (Jodi) Reding of Maple Grove, MN; Shari (Jonathan) Musoke of Corona, CA; Sue (Mike) Ringsdorf of Highland Village, TX; and Rob (Janene) Reding of Traverse City, MI. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren, Alicia (Travis) Brass, Ashley (Paul) Murray, Adam (Meridith) Arndorfer, Andrea Arndorfer, Cassie (Jarod) Stewart, Isaac Thill, Aaron (Sally) Thill, Stephani (Kale) Brockmann, Nick and Samantha Reding, Josh (Tiffany) and Zach Ringsdorf, Olivia and Abigail Reding; and 10 great grandchildren: Parker, Mason, and Reid Brass; Kellen, Avery and Finn Murray; Wren Arndorfer; Millicent and Imogene Stewart; Kennedi Brockmann; two sisters Joyce (Donnie) Illg and Kay (Ed) Bordy; and a number of brothers- and sisters-in-law.
Don was preceded in death by his loving wife Norma, his parents, his sister Margie, his brothers Marvin, Delmar, Maurice, and Ed, and grandson Benjamin.
Tributes
"Our deepest sympathy to the Reding Family. Mike and Deb Roethler"
"Sorry to hear of your loss, Lauri. Deepest sympathy. Sue Illg"
"So very sorry for the loss of your dad, Laurie and family. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. "
"So sorry for your loss, however, what a great love story. TOGETHER AGAIN! Sending prayers. "
"So sorry on the loss of your father, Lauri. Sending my sympathy & keeping you and your family in my prayers. Patty Altman"
"Just have to say a word about my great friend and first cousin Don Reding. Over the years we worked together, played together, prayed together and ate and drank together. And yes we sometimes argued especially at the ping pong table? But we always agreed on our love for Notre Dame, The Cardinals and The Vikings. I will remember him as a genuinely good man. God, Family, Friends and Neighbors were all super important to him. We need more people like him. My sympathies to His Family Don Wagner"
"We were so sorry to hear of Don?s passing. Your folks had a great love story and I?m sure are so happy to be reunited again and with Our Lord. Keeping all of you in our thoughts and prayers. Tom and Linda Froehlich "
"Lori and Family, I was so sorry to hear that Don had passed away. I have such fond memories of he and Norma at Good Sam when my mom was there. You have my deepest sympathy. "
"don and norma together again. i have great memories of seeing them at Saint Joseph Catholic Church every Sunday. i remember when there kids and grandkids would come to visit, they were so proud to have you in church with them. they usually sat in front of my family. God Bless you all you mourn the loss of a great man. "
"Prayers for Don Reding families my his soul rest in peace"
"Prayers to the Reding family. I know Don has struggled for several years....he is reunited with Norma and his suffering is no longer. Prayers for you all! Pat & Sue Murphy"
"Ou deepest sympathy on the loss of Don. Will keep you all in our prayers. Dennis and Joyce Frideres "