A Celebration of Life Service will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 2136 Brady Street, Davenport, IA, 52803, on Saturday, October 23, at 10:30am. A reception with refreshments will follow at the church. He will be laid to rest in Davenport Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his honor to St. Paul Lutheran Church or the Bob Gaston CASI New Horizons Band. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rungemortuary.com.
Donald was born June 25, 1931 to Walter and Beulah (Clausen) Ockelmann in Miles, IA. On June 26, 1964, he married the love of his life, Delores Hansen in Davenport, IA. He was a dedicated music teacher for 44 years, at Bennett schools, Hayes Elementary, Pahala Elementary (Hawaii), Johnson Elementary, and his final 36 at Davenport Wilson Elementary.
Don was actively involved in many activities such as director of the German Pioneer Singers (Moline Turners) and Davenport Zither Ensemble (German-American Heritage Center); a member of the Bob Gaston CASI New Horizons Band, CASI Golden Tones Choir, Davenport Retired Teachers (DARSPA), NEA/ISEA, and American/Schleswig- Holstein Heritage Society (ASHHS). He also liked spending time gardening, cooking, and teaching piano.
Those cherishing his memory are his loving wife. Delores “Lorie” Ockelmann; son, Kurt of Davenport, IA; daughter, Kristi of Shawnee, KS; sister, Diane Snyder of Clinton, IA; brother-in-law, Richard L. Hansen of Davenport, IA; sister-in-law, Marjean Hansen of Davenport, IA; nieces and nephews: Scott (Sue) Snyder, Leslie Kahler, Keith Ockelmann, LeAnne (Mike) Stamp, Tim (Kathy) Hansen, Robin (Kip) Olsen, and Lorie Jo Hansen.
He was preceded in death by infant son, Warren; parents, Walter and Beulah Ockelmann; brother, Darvin and wife, Sheryl; and brother-in-laws, Robin Snyder, Raymond Hansen, and James Hansen.
Please join us in remembering and honoring the life of Don Ockelmann. In his years of teaching music in Bennett, IA and Hayes, Johnson, and Wilson Schools in Davenport, so many young people developed an appreciation for music, which further fueled Don’s passion to share music with others. After 44 years of teaching, Don remained active in the Bob Gaston CASI New Horizons Band, CASI Golden Tones Choir, the German Pioneer Singers (Moline Turners), the Davenport Zither Ensemble (German-American Heritage Center), the American/Schleswig-Holstein Heritage Society (ASHHS), Davenport Retired Teachers (DARSPA), and NEA/ISEA. Don loved his family, his “extended family” of former teachers and students, friends, and neighbors, music of all kinds, and celebrating his German heritage.
Our family would like to thank everyone for their kindness and support during this difficult time.
