Donald Ray "Don" Felke

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Donald R. Felke, who left this world peacefully at home, surrounded by the love of his family.
Don was born at the tail end of the Dust Bowl era in Stafford County, Kansas. In high school, Don attended his senior trip to Colorado Springs; the Pikes Peak region left a lasting impression. After completing military duty, he returned to the city that had captured his heart and made it his lifelong home.
Don was a straight shooter-a man who believed in hard work, weak coffee, and doing the job right the first time. He devoted his life to making a meaningful impact in the communities where he lived and worked. For over 35 years, he served the City of Colorado Springs, retiring as Wastewater Division Operations and Maintenance Superintendent. Later, as a Consulting Engineer with Brown and Caldwell, he brought his boots-on-the-ground experience and steady leadership to every challenge, leaving a lasting legacy.
Don's commitment to the water industry ran deep. He was proud to serve as President of the Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association and was appointed by Governors Lamm and Romer to the Plant Operators Certification Board, where he generously shared his expertise.
If you ever had the chance to work alongside Don, you walked away a little wiser and almost certainly with a funny story or two.
A proud Air Force veteran, Don got his start in wastewater systems while serving his country, a path that took him as far as Greenland, where he laid eyes on the icecap-one of the highlights of his life. He stayed close to his military buddies over the years, bound by shared experiences and a loyalty that never wavered.
Don was a man with strong opinions and a heart just as strong. He could be gruff, sure-but he was also the guy who'd show up when you needed help, listen when you needed a friend, and tell you the truth when you needed to hear it. He was often described as a second father, a mentor, and a revered friend. He loved his annual fishing and hunting trips, bowling, a home project, and he loved nothing more than a good story, a bit of mischief, and time spent with the people he cared about.
Don was a devoted husband to Virginia Felke. Together, they built a home full of love and shared memories that spanned almost five decades.
He is survived by his wife, Virginia; children Pamela Felke, Andrea and (John) Sumner and Christine Felke and (Mark Gabelman); grandchildren, Jake and (Katie) Gabelman, Amanda Storrs, Forrest and (Erica) Mann, Taylor Van Hoff, Quinton Mann and Charlie Sumner; siblings Frank and (Joan) Felke and Nadine Penka, other sister and brother in laws include Sue Felke, Jo and (Paul) Hartzel, Lee Macy and Gary Cole; nieces and nephews Laurie Hendrix, Linda Tebo, Shannon Steiner, Bobbi and (Dwight) Reppa, Brenda (Mark) Veilleux, Karla Wilson, Vickie and (Steve) Davidson, Mike and (Heather) Penka, Danny Penka, Pat and (Nancy) Felke, Alan and (April) Felke, and Lynn and (Royal) Caraveau; and many other loved relatives.
Don was preceded in death by his first wife, Patsy Felke, his parents, Alvin and Minnie Felke; his brothers Maurice and John Felke; sister and brothers-in-law Vernon Penka, Louis and Elaine DeGray, Jim Macy and Jean Cole.
A committal service will be held on August 8 at 11:00 am Pikes Peak National Cemetery, 10545 Drennan Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80925. For details, please call (719) 391-6920.
Donations can be made on behalf of Don's memory to Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center at Donate - Mt. Carmel Veterans Center.
Don's legacy lives on in the family he loved, the friendships he built, and the work he did with tenacity and heart. He will be missed more than words can say-but never forgotten.