Donald Vontalge

DONALD "DON" EDWARD VONTALGE

Wadena

Donald "Don" Edward Vontalge, 87, of Wadena, died Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017, at Good Neighbor Home in Manchester.

Don was born July 12, 1929, in Manchester, Iowa, to Edward and Irma (Brockmeyer) Vontalge. He attended rural country school near Wood Center and graduated from Edgewood High School in 1947. Don enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1950 to 1953, including serving with the 1st Marine Division, 11th Battalion, Love Battery, from June 1951 to June 1952 in Korea. Don married Arla "Joanna" Corkery on May 23, 1959, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Wadena.

Don worked for J.I. Case and for local farmers before opening Don's Repair Shop in Wadena where he worked until retirement. Don enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-granddaughters. He enjoyed eating out and cooking. Don was known for his strawberry pies and angel food cakes. Don had the pleasure of traveling to Washington, D.C., on the Sept. 16, 2013, Honor Flight of Greater Dubuque.

Don is survived by a daughter, Pat (Mike) Smith of Arlington; a son, John (Alice) Vontalge of Epworth; four grandchildren, Kyla (Justin) Koons of Latimer, Dylan (Adella Ritter) Smith of Volga, Tanner Vontalge of Farley and Jordan Vontalge of Epworth; three great- granddaughters, Jenna, Jayci and Jillyn Koons of Latimer; sister-in-law, Donna Vontalge of Cedar Rapids; brothers-in-law, Charles Corkery of Manchester, William (Marilyn) Corkery of Marion, Paul (Beverley) Corkery of Dysart, Ellis Corkery of Lisbon, Tim Corkery of Fayette and Steve (Kathy) Corkery of Wadena; and many nieces and nephews.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Joann, on June 20, 2009; stepfather, Lee Totman; brother, Arnold Vontalge; sister, Ila Lee Corkery; and sisters-in-law, Jeanne (Gene) Singer, Barb (Dr. M.T.) Vincent, Jane (Jerry) Wheeler and Sharon Corkery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Veterans Memorial in Wadena or Regional Medical Center in Manchester.

Don's family would like to thank all the staff at the Good Neighbor Home in Manchester for his care.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 13, at Leonard-Grau Funeral Home in Elkader. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Volga. There will be a time of food and fellowship following the services at the church. A committal service will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Wadena at 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Leonard-Grau Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences may be left with www.graufuneralhomes.com.