Donald Joseph Spevacek

Donald Joseph Spevacek

Iowa City

Donald Joseph Spevacek, 95, died peacefully at home in rural Iowa City on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 2, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Iowa City, with Father Stephen Witt officiating. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, at Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service in Iowa City. The rosary will be recited at 1:30 p.m. Burial will be at St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to the Don Spevacek Memorial Fund or Regina Foundation.

Don was born March 5, 1927, the son of Joseph and Mary (Stebral) Spevacek. He grew up on the family farm in Newport Township where he attended Newport No. 3 Country School before graduation from University High School in 1945.

Don married Esther Rummelhart on June 5, 1947, and they celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary in June 2022. He was a lifetime farmer who loved his family, his friends and Hawkeyes football. Don was a member of St. Mary’s Church, was involved with 4-H as a leader and member of the Johnson County Fair Board, lifetime member of the Eagles Lodge and worked the elections for many years. He and his family were honored by the Iowa City Chamber of Commerce for the Farm Family of the Year in 2012.

Don is survived by his wife, Esther; four children, Gary, Sandra Heaton, Nancy and Cathy, all of Iowa City; six grandchildren, Amy (Ken) Augustine, Christa Avise, Tamara (Jim) Hill, Travis (Erinn) Spevacek, Brian (Mindy) Spevacek and Andrew (Naomi) Lovell; 16 great-grandchildren; and sister, Bernice Smith.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Kevin Lovell; daughter-in-law, Patricia (Kasper) Spevacek; and son-in-law, Jack Heaton.

Online condolences and memories may be shared on lensingfuneral.com.