Don Pittam

Don Pittam

Marion

Don Pittam 80, of Marion, Iowa, passed from his life on earth June 18, 2022, at Keystone Assisted Living Memory Care Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Visitation will be held 9:30 to 11 a.m. June 22, at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories with memorial service immediately to follow.

Don was born July 22, 1941, in Boulder, Colo., the second son of Orvile and Arra (Colclasure) Pittam. He spent most of his childhood in Superior Wyoming before attending Kimball High School in Nebraska. He went to the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, where he met his future wife Nancy Polage and mastered the phrase “Go Big Red.” Don and Nancy were married on June 17, 1962. Upon his graduation, the young couple moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where they started their family welcoming son Greg and daughter Dawn "D." Don worked for Collins Radio in accounting and then became one of the earliest computer programmers of Collins financial systems, retiring after 35 years. In his free time, Don liked participating in various work and church sponsored sports leagues including bowling, softball, volleyball and basketball. He enjoyed photography and dabbled in other art like mosaics and painting. Don and Nancy spent several winters RV camping in Texas and Arizona after retirement. They relished trips with Don’s cousins, Pittam Family Reunions and Anniversary Celebration Trips – his favorite was Alaska. In his later years, he never missed a theater or cabaret performance by D or a Municipal Band Concert with Greg. He especially loved to hear his daughter D sing.

Surviving to remember Don are his wife of 60 years, Nancy; son, Greg (Terrence Funke); daughter, D (Robb) Vizecky; granddaughter, Mazikeen; sister and brother-in-law, Deb and Dave Rippe of Bruning Neb., nieces and nephews, Michael Pittam of Denver, Colo., Lynn (Scott) Rosen of Parker, Colo., Seth (Katie) Rippe of Cedar Rapids, Ross (Michael Kahle) Rippe of Omaha, Neb., and Sydney (Tim) Hecke of Geneva, Neb.; and several cherished cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; father and mother-in-law, Ernest and Marcella Polage; his brother, Richard; and sister-in-law, Carol.

The family would like to recognize and express their sincere appreciation to the staff of Keystone Assisted Living Memory Care Center and Hospice of Mercy for their relentless compassionate care of Don. Memorial gifts will be divided between these two organizations.

Online condolences can be shared with the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries or to Nancy Pittam in care of Cedar Memorial.