Palmer, Donald E.

Donald E. Palmer, 86, of Dubuque, died of cancer on Sept. 25, 2011, surrounded by his family. Visitation is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, Cedar Rapids. Services will be at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories on Monday, Oct. 10, 2011, at 11 a.m. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

Born in Hudson, Iowa, to Dr. Clarence and Blanche Horton Palmer on May 27, l925, he graduated from Roosevelt High School in Cedar Rapids, then proudly served in the U.S. Army Air Corps. Don was a ball turret gunner in the belly of a B-17 that was shot down over Yugoslavia on Aug. 30, 1944. He liked to say that as a POW the Germans gave him an all-expense-paid tour of Europe as they transferred him through jails and prison camps from southern Yugoslavia to the Baltic Sea.

His 48-year marriage to Marilyn Edgar, beginning on Aug. 9, l945, produced three children: Steven (Patti), Susan Palmer Dolphin (Marla Weigert), and Donna Marie Palmer. Don's longtime companion is Jean Montague of Norway, Iowa. His grandchildren are Heather and Danielle Dolphin, Steven Voss, Ben and Tony Palmer, and Emily Palmer-Dunham. Great-grandchildren are Riley and Imani Dolphin.

Returning from World War II, Don attended Coe College, completing a degree in economics. He worked for Cherry Burrell and Penick and Ford during the years of 1955 to 1966 as a purchasing agent in Cedar Rapids. Moving to Dubuque in 1966, he worked for A.Y. McDonald until retiring in 1996.

Pursuing a pilot's license in his 50s, he logged nearly 30 years of flying, sharing his love of the sky with anyone who would go for a ride with him, always counseling “Don't land before you're ready.” He attended many reunions of his 463rd Bomb Group, joined the 70 Knotters flying group and was an active member of the Experimental Aircraft Association, volunteering at the annual fly-in at Oshkosh every summer.

An active tennis player, Don was also a swimmer all of his life, enjoying both sports well into his 80s. He remarked to family and friends, “I've had such a wonderful life.”

Preceding Don in death are Marilyn Edgar Palmer in 2006; Donna Palmer in 2008; his parents; brother Paul and wife, Mary; and sister Maren Palmer Walters and husband Warren.

The Palmer family would like to thank the compassionate caregivers at Hospice of Dubuque, and the many doctors and staff at Mercy Medical Center. A special thanks goes to Dr. Tom Schreiber and his staff as well as the many other caring medical personnel of Medical Associates of Dubuque.

Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Dubuque or the YMCA of Dubuque.

Online condolences may be sent to .

Published Oct. 2, 2011 in The Gazette