Don E Gottschalk

Don Edward Gottschalk, 77, of Cedar Falls, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Thursday January 21, 2021, surrounded by loving family after fighting a 20-year long and courageous battle with cancer.   He was born at the family farm in Elkader, IA, September 26, 1943, son of Elmer and Leona (Gusta) Gottschalk.  He graduated in 1959 from Elkader Central High School, then attended the University of Iowa where he received his Juris Doctor Law Degree in 1967.

Don began his career as Law Clerk to Theodore Garfield, Chief Justice of the Iowa Supreme Court. The Judge introduced him to Sara Lee Malone of Ames, IA.  The Vietnam War and Don's enlistment in the Iowa National Guard speeded up their courtship. They were married in Ames on April 28, 1968. They moved to Cedar Falls in 1969 where he began practicing law, eventually opening and running his private practice until he retired in the fall of 2020.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; his brother and sister-in-law, Glen and Deborah Gottschalk, and his brother-in-law Jack Grimes, survived by his beloved older sister Elaine Grimes.

Don will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 53 years and his children, daughter Laura Logan of Woodstock, Georgia, granddaughters Madison and Makenna, his son David Gottschalk of Waterloo granddaughter Emma, David's girlfriend Patricia Hughes, her children Morgan, Connor, Alaina, and step-grandsons Brendan and Austin.  He will be forever dearly remembered by his in-laws, and numerous cousins, nephews, nieces, extended family and dear friends.

Don was a quietly active member of his community involved in many organizations and serving on several boards, including the Epilepsy Foundation. He was a proud member of the Cedar Falls Rotary, he and Sara hosting two Rotary German Exchange Students with whom they still stay in touch. He was a Founder of the Iowa Enlisted Men's Association of the Army National Guard. He served as President of the Cedar Falls Jaycees. Most of all, he loved serving his Cedar Heights Community Presbyterian Church, both as an Elder and as a tenor in the choir for 30 years.  He was a man of deep faith who always kept a Bible at hand in his office for guidance.

Don loved sports and was very competitive, winning many trophies. He was an accomplished golfer, enjoying a 13-year membership with Beaver Hills Country Club (where he scored his 1st hole in one), before joining the Pheasant Ridge City Golf League (where he scored his 2nd hole in one).  He was the Secretary of the Cedar Falls Bowling Association and enjoyed many years of bowling at the State and National levels.  He enjoyed playing power volleyball and cheering on the UNI Panther girls' volleyball team and his granddaughters, who play volleyball, as well.  He held season tickets to the Iowa Hawkeyes Football games for over 30 years, attending several bowl games.  Fifty years ago, he was a founding member of his Cedar Falls "Brotherhood" of Football Prognosticators.

But his biggest love was being "Papa Popcorn" to his family.  He is deeply loved and missed. The family will be holding a private memorial service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Don's name to the Cedar Falls Rotary Club, to the Cedar Valley Hospice, or to the charity of your choice.