Donald Lloyd Cottingham, age 94 died Monday, June 26, 2023 at Good Shepherd Health Center in Mason City.
His remains will be interred in a private setting at the Russell Cemetery, Russell, Lucas County, Iowa.
Memorials may be directed to the Salvation Army or to any charity of one’s choice.
Donald was born August 16, 1928 on a tenant farm north of New York, Wayne County, Iowa, a pioneer town survived only by the graveyard. His parents were Lloyd William and Alice Elizabeth (Thompson) Cottingham, both of Russell.
He attended Derby Iowa High School for three years, graduating from Chariton Iowa High School in 1946. Don then attended Drake University, graduating in 1951 with a BA with a major in economics. Following graduation Don worked various jobs before employment in 1958 as a loan officer at United Home Bank and Trust Company in Mason City. He worked there and for its successors until his retirement in 1992.
Don was a 50 year member of Benevolence Lodge 145, Mason City. He was raised to a third degree Mason in December 1950 at the Fidelity Lodge in Humeston, Iowa at the age of 22. He took all three degreed and proved up on the third in four consecutive weeks.
On November 18, 1992 Don married Gweneth Rae Hall at the United Methodist Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. They honeymooned at a vintage motel on the Atlantic Ocean beach at Fort Lauderdale. While staying there a Hollywood crew came in and started arranging the motel to use in the film, “Wrestling Ernest Hemingway”.
Don and Gwen enjoyed their times together traveling, reading, watching movies at home, attending Dixieland jazz festivals, concerts, entertaining friends and wintering in their vacation home in Yuma, Arizona for twenty years. Don loved cooking on the charcoal grill and never let anyone leave his home hungry. The couple also attended many St. Louis Cardinal baseball games. Don was a lifelong fan, seeing his first Cardinal’s game at the Polo Grounds in New York City in 1951. His most memorable game was in August 1964 when the Cardinals fought back against the Dodgers, bringing them to the World Series.
Don loved music of all kinds, which was evident by his extensive collections of LP’s, CD’s and tapes. He maintained that Louis Armstrong was the greatest act he’d ever seen, with Elvis being number two. Fortunately he was able to see Louis in concert four times and Elvis three.
Don is survived by his wife, Gweneth; a daughter from a previous marriage, Mary Cottingham; her partner, Gene Myers, both of Fridley, MN; two nieces and several cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter from a previous marriage, Ann S. Wichman; and sister Margaret Ann Fuher.
colonialchapels.com
