Donn Carsrud's Obituary
Donn Carsrud lived his life with purpose, passion, and an entrepreneurial spirit that turned dreams into reality. Born in Watertown, South Dakota, in 1929 to Martin and Myrtillie Carsrud, Donn grew up in Nevada, Iowa, where his father established Carsrud’s Grocery Store. From his teenage years until 1960, he worked at the store, learning the values of hard work and community—a foundation that guided him throughout his life.
In 1950, Donn married the love of his life, Joan Nerem. Together, they built a beautiful life filled with adventure, family, and partnership that lasted 62 years until Joan’s passing in 2013. A skilled pilot in his youth, Donn once owned a Taylorcraft airplane, but in a nod to practicality, he traded wings for wheels when the family needed a new car. His focus shifted to building a future for his children: Janita Lee, Dawn Ann, and Lenn D.
In 1960, Donn took a bold leap into the world of business, becoming the proud owner-operator of a McDonald’s restaurant in Carbondale, Illinois. His entrepreneurial spirit thrived as he expanded his business, opening two more locations—one near the Southern Illinois University campus and another in Marion, Illinois. He was not just a businessman but a visionary, creating spaces that brought people together over meals, conversations, and community.
Life in Carbondale opened the door to new passions. Golf became a weekly ritual at Jackson County Golf Course, Thursdays devoted to perfecting his swing. Sundays were spent sailing on Crab Orchard Lake, embracing the wind and water with the same enthusiasm he had for flight years before. He and Joan were formidable bridge partners, and his wine cellar—always stocked with his homemade Zinfandel—was a testament to his love for craftsmanship and friendship.
Recognized for his outstanding community service, Donn was named Carbondale’s Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 1981, a fitting tribute to his deep commitment to giving back. His generosity extended to the Ronald McDonald House, where he and Joan volunteered every Monday and furnished two guest rooms for families in need.
After years of snowbirding to Sanibel Island, Florida, Donn fulfilled a lifelong dream, retiring to a home on a golf course in Kelly Greens, Fort Myers. Three days a week, he could be found on the green, where he even achieved the rare feat of two holes-in-one—proof that he lived life with precision and joy.
In 2017, Donn moved to Puyallup, Washington, to be closer to his daughter and son-in-law, embracing the final chapter of his journey with warmth and gratitude.
Donn was preceded in death by his beloved wife Joan in 2013 and his son Lenn in 2015. He is survived by his sister, Kay Rierson, of Nevada, Iowa; daughters Janita Lee Gaylord of Puyallup, Washington, and Dawn Ann Johnson of Gunnison, Colorado; five grandchildren—Corey Carsrud of Greenville, Illinois; Shane Carsrud of Carterville, Illinois; Amanda Carsrud of Carbondale, Illinois; Kari Stachura of Buckley, Illinois; and Jann Betts of Gunnison, Colorado—and nine great-grandchildren.
His final resting place will be Sheffield Cemetery in Story City, Iowa, where his legacy of courage, generosity, and adventure will live on.
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