Donald “Don” Knowlton, 90, of Charles City, passed away Saturday, January 3, 2026, at the 11th Street Chautauqua Guest Home in Charles City.
A funeral service for Don Knowlton will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home in Charles City with Pastor Russ Leeper from Saint John Evangelical Lutheran Church officiating. Burial will be Riverside Cemetery in Charles City.
Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the start of the service at the funeral home on Saturday.
Donald “Don” LeRoy Knowlton, the son of John and Carrie (Olson) Knowlton, was born February 3, 1935 in Barron, Wisconsin. He started his education in a country school in Barron and moved with his family to Charles City when he was a freshman in high school. Don graduated from Charles City High School in 1954 and enlisted in the United States Air Force proudly serving his country for three and a half years.
After his honorable discharge, Don returned to Charles City and began working at the Oliver Plant as a timekeeper. This is where he befriended Forrest Hinders who had a daughter named JoAnn. After a few dates and a Thanksgiving dinner with all of her family and his, it was decided that they would get married. The couple was united in marriage on April 20, 1963, at Saint John Evangelical Lutheran Church and made their home in Charles City.
Don continued working at Oliver but left the plant before it closed, taking a job in Cedar Rapids. That is how the family ended up living there for 40 years. Don worked at Collins Radio, FMC/Link Belt, Duane Arnold Nuclear Power and other odd jobs before retiring as the custodian/maintenance man for Von Maur Department Store. In his retirement, Don loved being able to be a stay-at-home grandpa for his grandchildren.
Don and JoAnn moved back to Charles City about 20 years ago, continued their membership at Saint John Evangelical Lutheran Church and calling Charles City home.
Don enjoyed fishing (taking an annual fishing trip to Wisconsin), woodworking, league bowling, listening to country music, watching and cheering for the Green Bay Packers and spending time with his family (especially his grandchildren). The family would like to give a special thank you to everyone at the 11th Street Chautauqua Guest Home for the wonderful love and care Don received while he was a resident.
Living family members include his wife of 62 years, JoAnn of Charles City; daughters: Kirsten (Joe) Field of Charles City and Jessica (Stephen) Huston of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren: Zachary (Madison) Huston, Ashley (Parker) Schnieders, James Field, Carrie Field, Stephanie Field, Thomas Field and Jayson Field; great-grandchildren: Cooper Huston, Nova Huston and Theodore Schnieders; sister, Joanne Patten of Osage; brother, Richard (Betty) Knowlton of Monticello, Minnesota; along with numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.
Don was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law, Robert Patten; and niece, Debra Watson.
Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, 1205 South Main Street, Charles City, Iowa 50616 is in charge of local arrangements. Online condolences may be left on the Tribute Wall for the family at www.hauserfh.com.
