Donald Schuettpelz

Donald Schuettpelz

Cedar Rapids

Donald Schuettpelz, 85, of Solon, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at St. Luke’s Transitional Care Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Don Schuettpelz was born on June 18, 1940, to Earl and Esther (Greimann) Schuettpelz at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He graduated from Marion High School in 1958.

Don attended Coe College and worked at Collins Radio before beginning a lifelong career working as a Union Iron Worker, Local 89, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He was a respected and skilled Iron Worker and Union leader. Working in the air connecting the steel beams for the skyline of the Midwest today, from the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota to the John Hancock Building in Chicago. He was a popular union leader, business agent for Iron Workers Local 89, and president of the Hawkeye area Labor Council AFL-CIO.

Don was a lifelong Green Bay Packers fan, and a proud supporter of the Democratic party. He met with U.S. presidents and leaders from across the country as part of his work.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Ann (Fredricks) Schuettpelz, daughter Jill Christine Hay, and grandson Charles Hay; his sister Diane Conklin (Terry) and brother Carl Schuettpelz (Dawn); his nieces and nephews, Deanna Conklin-Danao, Paul Conklin, Eran Schuettpelz, Carrie Schuettpelz and Jamie Ritchie. He was preceded in death by his son Michael Schuettpelz.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made to support the future of the trade that Don so proudly represented.

Contributions may be directed to:

N.E Iowa Ironworkers Local 89 JATC Apprenticeship Program

1112 29th Ave SW

Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

This fund helps train and mentor the next generation of Ironworkers.