Washburn, Donald

Donald Washburn, 88, of Cedar Rapids, died Sunday, July 29, 2012, at Cottage Grove Place following a long illness. Services: 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Jude Catholic Church by Rev. Mark Reasoner. Burial: Cedar Memorial Cemetery. A vigil service will be held Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Teahen Funeral Home where friends may visit from 5 to 8 p.m., and Thursday at the church after 9 a.m.

Survivors include a son, Kenneth (Marjorie) of Cedar Rapids; daughter, Mary (Greg) Heidrick of Lincoln, Neb.; grandchildren, Katie (Kevin) Grosshans of Edmond, Okla., Joe Heidrick of Lincoln, Neb., and Megan, Bryan and Morgan Washburn, all of Cedar Rapids; great-grandson, Henry Grosshans of Edmond, Okla.; many nieces and nephews; sister-in-law, Donna Washburn of Cedar Rapids; and brother-in-law, William Johnson of Pleasanton, Calif.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Helen; brothers, Arnold, Lee and Dean; and sisters, Fern Cover and Bernice Matson.

Donald was born Oct. 30, 1923, in Cedar Rapids, the son of Wilson Morris and Grace Irene Carson Washburn. He married Helen Alice Mitchell on Nov. 15, 1952, at St. Patrick's Church in Cedar Rapids; she died in 2000. Donald proudly served his country in the Army during World War II and the Korean conflict. He worked as a plumber for Valenta Plumbing and Heating for 38 years, retiring in 1985. After his retirement he worked at the Higley Building for 10 years.

Donald was a member of the VFW, the American Legion, and the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local #125. He was a charter member of St. Jude Church. Donald was an avid sports fan and will always be remembered as a devoted husband, father and grandfather.

Memorials may be directed to St. Jude Catholic Church or Hospice House of Mercy.

Online condolences may be left for the family at .

Published July 31, 2012 in The Gazette