Donald Duane Wold

Don grew up in Decorah, Iowa with his parents John and Irma and siblings Alice, Wayne, Cheryl, and Larry. He was always hard working, having jobs in the grocery store, bakery and bowling alley as a kid to help support their family before joining the Army in 1961. Don voluntarily served one tour in Vietnam, earning the Vietnam Service Medal with 4 bronze service stars. He served three tours in Germany, spending half of his 20-year career overseas. One of Don’s favorite assignments was attending Club Management School and managing the NCO Clubs in Joliet, Illinois, and Idar-Oberstein, Germany. His final duty station was Fort Carson, which established our family roots in Colorado nearly 50 years ago.

While serving at the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant in 1970, Don met the love of his life, Connie, in a bowling alley. Don adopted her two sons, Dennis and Leon, and they had one daughter, Cindy. Don and Connie continued to bowl together with their family for around 15 years. In their marriage of nearly 55 years, Don and Connie definitely followed the vows of “for better or worse” from his struggles with alcoholism and getting sober in 1985 to accepting the Lord in 1998 and serving Him through their church.

Don and Connie were one of the first couples to attend Restoration Church in Colorado Springs, from its beginnings at Janitell Junior High School. Don helped build the original sanctuary on Peaceful Valley Road by performing general construction, laying tile, and landscaping. Don served as an usher for many years and was blessed to travel to Mexico on two mission trips.

After his military service, Don worked at Litton Data Systems building components of the Saudi Arabian Air Defense System and at Kel-Welco (later White Cap) as head of the Springs warehouse before retiring in 2008.

Whether he was called Don, Donnie, Uncle Don, Grandpa, Papa, Donkey Don, or Hunka Hunka Don, he was loved and respected by everyone who met him. Don loved the trips he took with family, especially to Iowa, Alaska, Yellowstone National Park, and Norway. He loved his grandkids and enjoyed camping with them and attending their school functions, sporting events, and many graduations. He enjoyed playing the slots in Cripple Creek and in casinos all across the Midwest. His favorite game was Buffalo Gold.

Don is survived by his wife, Connie, of 55 years. Three children, Dennis Cobb of Glenwood Springs, Leon (Niki) Cobb of Highlands Ranch, and Cindy Wold of Aurora. Six grandchildren, Alex (Karisa), Eric (Lacy), Jourdan, Meghan (Jared), Zack, and Quincy. He regrets that he will not meet his future great-grandchildren, like LucyMae. Don is preceded in death by his parents John and Irma (Balk) Wold, siblings Billy, Elaine, Larry, and Wayne, and daughter-in-law Meredith.

Memorial donations can be made to the Restoration Church Mission Trip Fund, 9355 Peaceful Valley Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80925 (www.restchurch.org).

A committal service will be held on Monday, June 23rd at 1:00 PM at Pikes Peak National Cemetery, 10545 Drennan Rd. Colorado Springs, CO (please arrive by 12:45 PM). A reception will follow from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM at American Legion Post 38, 6685 Southmoor Drive, Fountain, CO.