Donald Doolittle
Donald Lloyd Doolittle, son of Lloyd L. and Lottie B. (Morrison) Doolittle, was born on October 26, 1929, in Webster City, Iowa. He grew up on Bank Street next door to the Methodist Church and near the Hamilton County Courthouse where his father was County Auditor. He graduated from Lincoln High School in Webster City, playing Lynx basketball and graduating with the class of 1947. He was a member of the U.S. Army National Guard from 1948-1949.
Don was united in marriage to Shirley A. Juhl, of rural Webster County, on June 12, 1949, at Washington Lutheran Church in Duncombe. To this union, five children were born.
Don was a shoe salesman at Halverson Shoe Store in downtown Webster City, then began his farming career, making their home on the Juhl family farm near Brushy Creek. Don managed the farm from 1953 to 1986 and continued to assist his son in the operation until 2000. Raising crops, hogs, cattle and kids, Don earned the title of Wallace Master Farmer in 1982 and their homestead was recognized as a Century Farm in 2012.
Strong in his faith, Don was an active member of Washington Lutheran Church in Duncombe, Trinity Lutheran Church in Webster City, and Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Callender, serving as president of church councils and as a delegate of the Western Iowa Lutheran Synod, leading Bible studies, and offering his vocal music gift in choirs and in other numerous capacities.
Having a civic mindset, Don was president of the Webster City Community School Board and served on the boards of the United Coop and Hamilton County Cattlemen's Association.
Don’s most cherished moments were spent dancing with Shirley at the Elk’s Club and in their kitchen, raising his farm family, farming alongside his son, annual fishing trips to Canada, and socializing with family, old friends, and new acquaintances. He was passionate about the Iowa Hawkeyes, learning new things, singing, sharing his faith, and making connections to people.
Don passed away on Friday, June 20, 2025, at Crestview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Webster City where he had lived the last two years. A place where the nurses and staff had become his dear friends. He was 95 years old.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Shirley; his parents; his mother and father-in-law, Chris and Esther Juhl; his son, James J. Doolittle; son-in-law, Emmett J. Cooney; siblings, Max (Marilyn) Doolittle, and Lois Radoff; brother-in-law Norman (Louise) Juhl; and sister-in-law Beverly (John) Ostlund.
Survivors include his children: Kristin Cooney of rural Duncombe, Polly Doolittle (Ladd Ventling) of rural Webster City, Dan (Vicki) Doolittle of Webster City; and Tricia (Bill) Bird of Onawa, IA; grandchildren Tom (Nicky) Cooney, Megen (Craig) Johnson, Jim (Mariah) Doolittle, and Libby (Ethan) Anderson; nine great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandsons; nieces and nephews; family and cherished friends.
Visitation will be Tuesday, July 1st, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Trinity Lutheran Church in Webster City and a funeral service will be held Wednesday, July 2nd, at 1:30 pm. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Webster City. Foster Funeral and Cremation Center is caring for Don and his family.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.