Donald D. Jayne

Donald Dale Jayne, 85, passed away peacefully with family by his side on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. Don was born February 5, 1938 in Audubon, Iowa to Harold and Mildred (Christensen) Jayne. While in high school, he participated in Boy Scouts, earning the rank of Eagle Scout. Don was president of his senior class and graduated from Audubon High School in 1956. Then he attended Iowa State University, graduating with a degree in Chemical Engineering in 1960. Don married Linda Kay Gustafson on October 8, 1960 at the Methodist Church in Atlantic, IA.

Don was a Lt. in U.S. Army Signal Corps from 1960-1962, stationed at White Sands Missile Range, NM. Afterwards, Don worked as a chemical engineer at Hercules Powder Co. and Celanese Corp. in Wilmington, DE. Looking for a new adventure, Don & Linda moved to Mason City, IA, where Don was a commodities broker at R.G. Dickinson & Co. In less than a year, they moved back to the east coast, where Don worked for Enjay Chemical Co. in Baltimore, MD.

In November 1968, the family returned to Iowa. They resided in West Des Moines where they raised their sons, Tim and Adam. Don bought a franchise from Snelling & Snelling, a national employment agency, and opened an office in downtown Des Moines in March 1969. In December 1981, he opened KEY Employment Services. His businesses included Staff Associates, Staff Temps and Allyn Employment. Don enjoyed being actively involved in the business. He sold the employment agencies and retired in 1996. Through the years, he was involved with various organizations and served as President of the downtown D.M. Kiwanis Club in 1978.

Don always had time to spend with his boys’ activities and for family and friends. He enjoyed many things, including golf, cards (especially pitch, the Jayne family game), chess, walking, dancing, traveling, family genealogy and his tomato garden. He was a member of the WDM United Methodist Church. Don was thoughtful, ambitious, dependable, optimistic, supportive, and caring. We have many happy memories of all the good times we spent with him. He will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts.

Don is survived by his wife, Linda, of 63 years; sons, Timothy and Adam; sisters, Patricia (Dale) Mortensen and Eunice (Glenn) Buchanan; sister-in-law, Lou Ann Jayne; brother-in-law, Chuck Gustafson; and several cousins, nieces, nephews and other extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Larry Jayne; nephew, Glenn Jayne; brother-in-law, Bob Gustafson; and niece, Nikki Gustafson.

A visitation will be held from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, October 19, 2023 at McLaren’s Resthaven Chapel in West Des Moines followed by a Celebration of Life at 11:30 a.m. Burial with military honors will be held at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery. The family would like to thank the Veterans Administration, Ramsey Village, and Hospice of the Midwest for providing wonderful care for Don. We sincerely thank everyone who helped him.

Memorial donations can be made in his memory to a charity of your choice.