Don Washington, 77, of Rockford, passed away Friday evening, March 17, 2023 at his home, surrounded by his loving family.
Visitation with viewing will be held Tuesday, March 21, 2023 from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 3rd St NE, Mason City with a Scriptural Wake service beginning at 7:00 pm.
Should friends desire, memorials may be left in Don’s honor in care of his family.
Donald Robert Washington was born December 9, 1945, the oldest of seven children born to Robert and Rita (Moorehead) Washington. He grew up on the family farm near Rockford and graduated from Newman Catholic High School in Mason City.
In September of 1966 he was united in marriage to Marcia Schindele and together they were blessed with two children, Doug and Dawn. Don worked for many years at White Farm before the family moved to Oklahoma in 1981. While in Oklahoma Don worked on the oil rigs and drove truck for the oil industry.
In 1985 he returned to Iowa and began working for Allied. It was during this time he met the love of his life, Lea Ann Eckenrod and her children, Jenn, Kevin, Laura, and Chad. The couple was married on December 31, 1991.
Together their two families soon became one and they were blessed with 31 years of love, laughter, and countless memories.
Throughout the years Don worked in various factories in north Iowa, as well as the City of Rockford, before retiring from Armour-Eckrich Meats in Mason City.
Don’s greatest joy in life was the love of his family. He cherished their times spent together and will be remembered for the backyard camp fires hosted countless times throughout the years, for family and friends alike. He loved tending to his vegetable garden, woodworking, hunting, and dancing. Don always had a soft spot in his heart for animals and welcomed many beloved family pets into their home.
Those grateful in sharing in Don’s life include his wife, Lea Ann, of Rockford; and their children, Doug Washington, Swaledale, Dawn (Randy) Harrel, Leedey, OK, Jenn (Randy) Heying, New Hampton, Kevin (Lisa) Eichmeier, Osage, Laura (Jerry) Grady, Rockford, and Chad (Lorenza) Eichmeier, Valdosta, GA; 23 beloved grandchildren and their spouses, and 21 great grandchildren with three more on the way; siblings, Pat (Mark) Snavely, Margaret (Mike) Schlader, Ed (Pam) Washington, David (Jane) Washington, Mary Jo Howard, and Mark (Kristi) Washington; Lea Ann’s siblings, Bruce (Rachel) Eckenrod, Al (Dawn) Eckenrod, Carl (Toni) Eckenrod, and Ann (Kelly) Ott; as well as many nieces and nephews, extended family members, and countless friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Rita; father and mother in law, Virgil and Lois Eckenrod; sister in law, Sue Eckenrod; nephew, Brent Benson; and great granddaughter, Giana Ketelsen.
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