Stanley R. Donat

Stanley R. Donat, 90, of Randalia, died Monday, Feb. 24, 2014, at Unity Point/ Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 27, at Union United Methodist Church in rural Sumner, with Pastor Johnny Ray Tucker officiating.

Interment will follow at Union Cemetery.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014, at Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Sumner and for one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.

Online condolences may be left at www.beckermilnesrettig.com.

Stanley Ray Donat was born in rural Randalia, on May 28, 1923, to Marion and Ruth (Dawson) Donat. He was baptized on May 6, 1928, at the Randalia Episcopal Church. He graduated from Maynard High School in 1941. He served in World War II under General Patton in the 253rd Armor Field Battalion, 1943-1946, and fought in the Battle of the Bulge.

He met Phyllis Elizabeth Hof and was married at Union Church on July 14, 1946, after a brief six-week courtship. Stanley was a lifetime farmer and worked for John Deere as an inspector, retiring in 1973. He was an active member of Union United Methodist Church. Stanley and Phyllis were blessed with five children, Janice, James, Ray, Ann, and Patricia.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, who died in 2013; his parents; his son, Ray, who died in 2006; brothers, Gale and Eugene; and granddaughter Elizabeth.

Stanley is survived by his children, Janice (Steve) Vorthmann of Sumner, James (Darise) Donat of Maynard, Pastor Ann Donat of Greene, and Dr. Patricia (Gil Katzenstein) Donat of Dahlonega, Ga; daughter-in-law, Connie Donat Nuss of Sumner; 14 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; and sister, Arlene Samuelson of Cedar Falls.