Donald Harfst

A Celebration of Life will be held at Ankeny Funeral Home, located at 1510 West First Street, Ankeny, IA 50023, US. The service is scheduled for January 22, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

Don was born on November 26, 1933, to Fred and Etta (Wendt) Harfst on a farm near Easton, Illinois. He was a 1951 graduate of Wilton Junction (now known as Wilton) High School. Don was stationed in Germany with the U.S. Army. After service for his country, Don attended the University of Iowa graduating with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physical therapy. He married Gerri Murdock on August 25, 1957in Wilton, Iowa.

Throughout his career, Don helped thousands of people with their various ailments and illnesses. Much of his career was with Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines, with additional stops in Jackson, Tennessee; Waterloo; and Ankeny. While Don and Gerri did not have any children, his dachshunds were his kids, starting with Dieter and Grindle. Don and Gerri traveled the country proudly showing their dachshunds at AKC shows.

Surviving relatives include four nieces and nephews: Debbie (John) Richardson, of San Simeon, California; Allen (Mary) Harfst of Chico, California; Karin (Mick) Sehmann, of Richmond, Kentucky; and Kyle (Terri) Harfst, of Mahomet, Illinois. Many grand and great grand nieces and nephews also survive. Don is also survived by a very special friend, Mary Poole.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Gerri, parents, and both brothers, Richard and Kenneth Harfst, one nephew, Kent Harfst, and one grandniece, Abigail Hernandez.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Don’s name to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa (5452 N.E. 22nd St., Des Moines, IA 50313).