2004 'Citizen of the Year' Veitch passes

Don Veitch, Spencer's 2004 "Citizen of the Year," passed away Wednesday at Spencer Hospital.

Just a month before he was named the 2004 Spencer "Citizen of the Year," Don Veitch was interviewed and shared a philosophy that identified the kind of person he was: "There are no bad days. Some days are just better than others."

Wednesday, Spencer lost one of its icons. Veitch, 91, passed away at Spencer Hospital. Funeral arrangements are pending at Warner Funeral Home of Spencer.

Veitch was honored as Citizen of the Year for his contributions to the Parker Historical Society, Iowa Great Lakes Antique Car Club, Masonic Lodge, Shriners and his church.

The native of Greenville, was drafted just before the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Anticipating just a one-year obligation as a draftee at the time, things changed following the bombing of the military base in Hawaii, and Veitch found himself in the midst of World War II. He served in various combat situations until February 1943 when he and others were captured by German soldiers and held as prisoners of war. He escaped once, but was detained once again, remaining a POW until being liberated at the tail end of the war in May 1945.

Veitch returned to Greenville on July 4, 1945. As soon as Veitch arrived home, he telephoned his girlfriend, Dorothy, in Oregon. The two had initially met about five months before he was drafted. They continued to correspond by way of letter during his tour of duty.

The two married July 12.

Additionally, Don and Dorothy -- recognized by many who knew them as quite a dynamic duo -- acted as Rainbow Parents for many years.

Clay County Fair-goers may not know the Veitch name, but they probably recognize the faces. After all, the couple began the Shrine ATV Funnel Cake stand at the fair, and worked as a team during the entire run of the fair in the stand for many, many years.

His employment, as a distributor for Wynn's, an automotive additive company, meant that he was immersed in the auto world. Don took that interest in cars a step further, as a charter member of the Iowa Great Lakes Car Club. He served as secretary/treasurer for many years and has assisted with exhibits and displays of cars throughout the area and participated in many parades.

"Whatever organization he belongs to he is not only a very active member, but he does, through unselfish acts, those things which many of us think about doing but never quite get done," wrote L.R. "Pete" Petersen in his Citizen of the Year letter of nomination of Don. "The only people who know of these deeds are Don, God, and oh yes, probably his wife Dorothy."

According to Cindy McGranahan, Parker Museum director, Veitch had been involved with the Parker Historical Society since he joined in 1973.

"Not only has Don been present and willing to help with many events since 1973, but he has also been a terrific cheerleader and supporter of the Parker Historical Society," said McGranahan in 2005. "His 'can-do' and 'let's move ahead' attitude has been extremely valuable, as the Society has transitioned from an all-volunteer group to a business."

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To read the Meet Your Neighbor story on Don Veitch written in February 2005 and the Citizen of the Year story written in March 2005, go to www.spencerdailyreporter.com.

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Donald Veitch

Funeral services for Mr. Donald Veitch, 91, of Spencer, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 6, 2009 at First Christian Church of Spencer. Rev. Ddan Mayes will officiate the service.

Visitation will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday, with the family present from 5-7 p.m. at the Warner Chapel at Spencer.

Interment will take place at North Lawn Memorial Park in Spencer. Military services will be conducted by Glen Pedersen Post No. 1 of Spencer.

A Masonic service will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday, at the Warner Funeral Home.

Mr. Veitch passed away Wednesday, July 1, 2009, at Spencer Hospital.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to First Christian Church, Relay For Life and Hospice of NW Iowa.

Warner Funeral Home of Spencer is in charge of arrangements.