Tvedte, Donald James (Don)

Donald James (Don) Tvedte passed away peacefully surrounded by family Friday, May 24, 2013, at the age of 88 years. Services celebrating Don's life will be held Saturday, June 1, at St. Mark's United Methodist Church in Iowa City. Visitation will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday with a service at 4 p.m. Private family burial services will be held later at Oakland Cemetery.

Memorials may be sent to Donald Tvedte Memorial, 27 Green Mountain Dr., Iowa City, IA 52245 to be shared with many of Don's interests.

Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web at .

Don was born in Dolliver, Iowa, the son of Hans and Lottie (Terry) Tvedte. He had three brothers, Robert, Norman and Hans. He graduated from high school in 1943 and then enlisted in the Navy and served in Naval Aviation from 1943 to 1946.

Don and Deloris Rosenow were married in 1948. They had six children Jim, Tracy, Tom, Bill, Connie and Beverly. They were blessed with 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Don received his B.A. from Iowa State Teachers College (Cedar Falls) and received his M.A. from the University of Iowa. He taught for six years in Northwest Iowa and Southern Minnesota before coming to Iowa City in 1957 where he was a principal for five years at Henry Sabin Elementary School and 24 years at Robert Lucas Elementary School.

Don and Deloris were charter members of St. Mark's United Methodist Church. They both served on different committees in the church while Deloris served as the church secretary. They volunteered monthly with St. Mark's at the Free Lunch program at Wesley House and were the city coordinators of the Free Lunch program.

Don thoroughly enjoyed his life with immediate family who all live in the Iowa City area and all his lifetime friends. He had a great love of fishing in Minnesota and Canada, and enjoyed all the great memories connected with the children, staff, and parents of the great Iowa City Community School District.

He was preceded in death by his wife in 2010; his parents; one brother, Robert; one son, Tom; and one grandson, Travis.

Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Don's family and his services.

Published in The Gazette May 29, 2013.