Donald Dell Tibbetts

Donald Dell Tibbetts, 87, of Peterson, Iowa, passed away on June 2, 2025, after a 15-month battle with cancer and a tired heart.

Donnie was born on August 31st to Mabel Fields Tibbetts and Del Kinyon Tibbetts at his family home in Peterson, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at the Congregational Church in Peterson. Donnie attended Peterson School from kindergarten through 12th grade, graduating in 1956. He was an outstanding athlete in all sports, earning several all-state honors and awards during his high school years.

After graduation, he went to work for Wetherell Sand & Gravel where he kept busy running heavy equipment and driving truck until 1975. During that time he married Jean Magnussen on June 21, 1959 and they had three children: Karal, Tracy, and Angie. Following his work at Wetherell’s, Donnie became a long-haul truck driver and owner/operator. After Jean’s passing, he met and married Shayla Pingel on March 6, 1982. Together, they had two children, Cody and Brittney. Donnie loved spending time with his family and attending his kids’ and grandkids’ sports and activities over the years.

Donnie lived his entire life in Peterson, a town he deeply loved for its peacefulness and close-knit community. He was proud of the many ways he gave back over the years—especially digging the basement of the home he lived in, helping build the town’s swimming pool, volunteering on the Peterson Fire Department, serving as a founding board member of the Peterson Saddle Club, and being a longtime member of the Peterson Methodist Church. These were just a few of his many lasting contributions to the place he called home.

In 2016, Donnie retired from long haul trucking and returned to work at Wetherell Sand & Gravel, allowing him to be home each night. That change gave him the chance to spend more time with his loved ones. He especially enjoyed his morning coffee with the local guys, catching up on the daily news, and taking rides around town in his golf cart or van. Donnie officially retired in 2022, stepping away from work for good.

Donnie was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Jean, his siblings Delbert Tibbetts, Howard Tibbetts, Melba Medsker, and Francis Melton, as well as his grandson Brandon Schuknecht and granddaughter Tatum Tibbetts.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Shayla, and his sister Sheryl and Larry Carlson of Alta; his children with Jean: Daughter, Karal & Bruce Schuknecht of Cherokee & their children, Josilyn, & Jarrod; Son, Tracy & Debbie Tibbetts of Troutman, North Carolina, & his children, Dale, & Travis; Daughter, Angie & Brian Prange of Spencer, & her son, Keegan. His children with Shayla: Son, Cody & Abby Tibbetts of Van Meter & their children, Reagan, Collins, Griffin, & Porter; Daughter, Brittney & Nick Jones of Peterson & their children, Rowan, Breckyn, Briggs, & Hayes

He is also survived by many great-grandchildren, a great-great grandson, family and friends who will miss him dearly.