Donald Hoemann was born July 15, 1929, the son of Herman and Winifred (Breyfogle) Hoemann. He was born at home with twin sister Dorothy in Grant Township, O’Brien County, near Sutherland, Iowa.
In 1938 the family moved to Crawford County where his parents purchased a farm. While helping his parents with the farming operations, Don completed his elementary education in a one room school. He attended Denison High School graduating with the class of 1948.
In 1947 Don was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church. With the guidance from our Lord and Savior Jesus he became actively involved in teaching Sunday School and high school bible study for a number of years.
Upon graduation he attended Iowa State Teachers College Branch summer School. The fall of 1948 he began his teaching career at the elementary level. Don continued teaching and summers were spent attending college. After receiving his BA and later his MS he continued teaching at the Denison Community School and taught college evening classes for WIT, BV, and DMACC. Don’s elementary and high school teachers had a definite influence upon his decision in entering this worthy profession. He also really enjoyed working with youth and especially in helping them gain new insights and understandings about themselves and their environment. The most rewarding experience for Don was seeing young people grow and develop spiritually, mentally, socially, creatively, emotionally, and physically.
In the spring of 1963, he met a wonderful young lady by the name of Fola M. Booth. On June 13, 1964, Don married Fola in Denison, Iowa. They were host parents to 5 foreign exchange students, and also were foster parents on two different occasions.
In 1972 Don was selected as Outstanding Teacher or Leader in Secondary Education. From 1976-1977 he was selected as one of three finalists receiving the Teacher of the Year in the State of Iowa by the Department of Education. 1987-1988 he was chosen as Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Member for Buena Vista University at the Denison campus and in 1989 at the Western Iowa Tech Community College. He received outstanding service and dedication to the Denison High School Pride Club, Outstanding recognition for Art Education Recognition from the Denison Rotary for dedicated service to the community, and received the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow award.
Don enjoyed teaching, reading, creating 3 dimensional art composition, and volunteering. In 1993 he retired from full time teaching, but continued teaching art as a part-time instructor at WIT and DMACC. From 2006-2007 he served as Interim Principle and Art Instructor at Zion Lutheran School. In 2007 he was selected as Denison Alumni Committee for the “Wall of Pride”.
Don also served as board member to Norelius Public Library, where he was President for 8 years. After retirement he was elected to the Denison School Board for 9 years. He was a Charter member of the Denison Arts Association (Crawford County Arts Association). He served as President of the Denison Education Association for one year, and President of Realife Board of Directors. Don served as president of Our Savior Lutheran Church congregation for 4 years. He was Chairperson of the Christian Education Board.
Don passed away on Saturday, March 26, 2022 at the Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison, Iowa attaining the age of 92 years, 8 months, and 11 days.
He was preceded in death by his wife Fola, his parents Herman and Winifred, and his siblings George Hoemann, Margaret Hinricksen, Kenneth Hoemann, Dorothy Hoemann, and Bonnie Segebart.
Left to cherish his memory are his nieces, nephews, and many friends.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to Our Savior Lutheran Church, Denison, Iowa or Lutheran Hour Ministries Denison, Iowa.
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