Donald Allensworth

Donald Earl Allensworth, one of five children of Louis Earl and Viva Marie (Gravett) Allensworth, was born on June 10, 1922 in Henderson, Iowa. Don grew up in Henderson and graduated from the Henderson Community High School in 1940. Following school, Don did carpentry work for his father. On November 7, 1941, Don and Alice Sarah Pendegraft were married in Rock Port, Missouri. They made their home in Henderson where Don began working as a hired man. Over the next several years, they were blessed with three daughters: Sandra, Sherry, and Susan. Don farmed for himself from 1944 to 1956. He then worked as a mechanic at Andy's Auto Shop in Omaha. He taught and called square dancing all over southwest Iowa and was the caller at the National Teachers' Square Dance Convention in Omaha. In 1958 the family moved to Macedonia, Iowa where they opened Don's Repair Shop. Don joined the Macedonia United Methodist Church and the Macedonia Volunteer Fire Department. From 1961-1971 he was a member of the Ruby Lodge A.F. and A.M. No. 415, serving as Grand Master in 1968 and 1969. Don was active in the Shenandoah Racing Homing Pigeon Club where one of his pigeons rece...[more]

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d the "Bird of the Year" award. He enjoyed collecting miniature cars, camping, fishing, rodeos and woodworking. One of his pet projects was making wooden Christmas ornaments for children visiting Santa's Village. He was an inventor all of his life. In 1972 Don involuntarily retired. He designed and built two homes and was known by his family as "Mr. Fix It" and "the Master Story Teller." He loved spending time with his family. Don and Alice had been married 65 years when Don died at their home on March 2, 2007 at the age of 84 years, 8 months, and 22 days. Always giving, Don deeded his body to the Anatomical Sciences Program at the University of Nebraska in Omaha. He was preceded in death by his parents; half-brother Cecil Gravett; brothers Keith Allensworth and Dwight Allensworth; brothers-in-law Howard Henderson, Earl Gollhofer, Jake Morris, and James Pendegraft; parents-in-law Otis and Annie Pendegraft; and great granddaughter Ariana Montgomery. Don is survived by his wife Alice Allensworth of Macedonia; daughters Sandra Kasun and husband Tony of Omaha, Sherry Cook and husband Tom of Grand Island, NE, and Susan Achenbach of Macedonia; sister Sharon Gollhofer of Charter Oak, IA; eight grandchildren, Leslie Poynter of Fayetteville, AR, Grant Houser, Devin Houser, and Todd Achenbach all of Macedonia, Lisa Suwannachitr of Oklahoma City, OK, Kimberly Noley of Grand Island, NE, Mismiki Montgomery of Lincoln, NE, and Jennifer Batchelor of Double Springs, AL; 14 great grandchildren; sisters-in-law Edith Allensworth of Griswold, IA, Roberta Morris of Emerson, IA, Phyllis Sonderup and husband Dale of Fullerton, NE, Lois Pendegraft of Sioux Falls, SD, Mavis McDuffie and husband David of Orlando, FL, and brother-in-law Donald Pendegraft and wife Linda of Creston, IA; nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.