Donald Fejfar

Donald Charles Fejfar, 98, of Iowa Falls, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at Care Initiatives in Eldora, Iowa. Visitation will be held at Surls Funeral Home on Monday, October 27, 2025, from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Memorial service will take place at Bethany Lutheran Church, Iowa Falls, on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., with military honors to follow the service. In lieu of flowers, a fund will be established to support the Iowa Falls/Alden High School Music Department-a fitting tribute to Don's lifelong dedication to music and education. Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls.
Don was born June 29, 1927, in Yankton, South Dakota, to James Charles and Clara Carstenson Fejfar. He graduated from Yankton High School and was drafted into the United States Army following graduation. After basic training, he auditioned for and was accepted into the U.S. Army Field Band in Washington, D.C., where he served as a trumpeter and Staff Sergeant Bandsman. One of the highlights of his life was playing with the Army Field Band for their 60th Anniversary Concert at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, in August of 2006. He was thrilled to renew acquaintances with a few of his former band colleagues.
After his military service, Don attended the University of South Dakota, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and a Master of Music degree. He began his teaching career in Gettysburg, South Dakota, where he taught instrumental music for three years. In 1954, he accepted the instrumental music position at Iowa Falls High School.
It was in Iowa Falls where he met Carol Lindblom, a sixth-grade teacher who happened to live next door and asked him for a ride to school. They married on June 30, 1957, in Adair, Iowa, and were blessed with three children: Brian Charles, Jane Denise, and Robert John.
Don eventually transitioned from music education into a successful career as a financial advisor with IDS, later retiring from Edward Jones in 2001. Even after retirement, he continued to mentor young Edward Jones financial brokers across the state.
Throughout his life, Don dedicated himself to service, both in music and in his community. During his seven years as the high school band director in Iowa Falls, his bands earned six Division I ratings and one Division I+ rating at state competitions. In 1955, alongside Glenn Johnson, he co-founded the Musicalites, an annual event that allowed students to showcase their musical talents.
He was selected as a member of the American School Band Directors Association and served for over 30 years as an adjudicator for the Iowa State High School Music Association.
Don was also deeply committed to civic life. He served on the Library Board, was Past President of the Iowa Falls Lions Club, and received the Warren Coleman Lions International Award for dedicated service. He also served on the Iowa Falls Chamber of Commerce Board, Tourism Committee, Iowa Falls Community Chest Board, and spent 30 years as a member of the Ellsworth College Board of Trustees. In 1995, he received the Iowa Falls Community Service Award.
Music remained a constant joy in Don's life. He performed with the Ellsworth College Band, was a member of the Marco Island Strummers in Florida and was the founder and director of Dow Jones and the Averages band.
Don was preceded in death by his son Brian Charles Fejfar, parents James and Clara Fejfar, brother Willard (Phyllis) Fejfar, and son-in-law Ted Oglesby.
He is survived by his wife Carol; daughter Jane Oglesby (Scott Pantel) of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren Lindsey Oglesby and Josh Oglesby; son Robert (Jen) Fejfar of Des Moines; grandchildren Nick Fejfar and Danielle Fejfar; and granddaughter Dakota Sioux Fejfar, daughter of the late Brian Fejfar.