Don Willadsen

1943 - 2024

Don Willadsen

August 30, 1943 - August 26, 2024

Don F. Willadsen, 80, of Davenport, formerly of Bettendorf, died Monday, August 26, 2024 at Genesis East, Davenport.

Funeral services and Mass of Christian Burial for Don will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 31, 2024 at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, Bettendorf. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Davenport. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the mass Saturday at church. Memorials may be made to St. John Vianney Catholic Church, Bettendorf High School Athletic Department, Pleasant Valley High School Athletic Department or for masses to be offered for Don.

Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Don Franklin Willadsen was born on August 30, 1943 in Storm Lake, Iowa, a son of Franklin and Esther (Sievers) Willadsen. Don spent his childhood in Newell, Iowa and graduated from Newell-Providence High School in 1961. Don earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa State University where he was a member of Alpha Chi Rho fraternity and met many lifelong friends. Don later went on to earn his Master of Arts in Education from Arizona State University and his Secondary Education Administration Certification from Western Illinois.

Don was united in marriage to Jean Steffensmeier on August 1, 1970 at St. James Catholic Church in St. Paul, Iowa. They have shared over 54 years of marriage together.

Don taught at Bettendorf High School for 28 years and coached freshman football and sophomore basketball. Don finished his career with the Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency as the coordinator of student activities and events. Through William Penn College, Don taught classes to certify driver education teachers throughout Eastern Iowa. He retired in 2004.

Don enjoyed following his children and his grandchildren's various activities and sporting events. He loved to cheer on his beloved Iowa State Cyclones and getting together with his breakfast and lunch groups of teachers, neighbors, and friends.

Those left to honor his memory are his wife, Jean, Davenport; children and their spouses, Melanie (Chris) Wilkins, Bettendorf and Jason (Elisa) Willadsen, Austin, Texas; grandchildren, Macy, Caden, Sage, and Lyla.

Don was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Gene Willadsen. May they rest in peace.