Donald Cleo Cornelius age 85, of Ames, passed away on January 25, 2023. A gathering of friends and family will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 30, 2023, at Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care, 414 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa. Burial will be at Ames municipal Cemetery.
Donald was born to George and Anna (McCullough) Cornelius in Guthrie County, Iowa, on December 16, 1937. He graduated from Bayard High School, in Bayard, Iowa. Don met Norma Jean Taylor while attending Bayard and were high school sweet hearts. The couple was wed on June 10, 1956. They were blessed with three children Debbra, Steven, Rick. Don worked for 30 years at 3M before he retired in 1999. Don and Norma made their home on the North side of Ames and enjoyed the grandchildren and later the great-grandchildren with summer get-togethers, and special times around the holidays.
Donald is survived by his children, Debbra (John) Tiller of Omaha NE, Steven (Deb) Cornelius, of Story City; Rick Cornelius of San Diego, CA;, 5 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren, and a sister, Freda Hall of Ankeny. He is preceded in death by his parents, George and Anna Cornelius and his wife, Norma Jean Cornelius.
Memorials may be directed to Israel Family Hospice House in Ames.
Online condolences may be directed to: www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com.
We are thinking of you all today. Hugs to you all. Love, Kimmie and Family
Don Cornelius, my father, passed away at age 85 (1937-2023). This is a photo tribute to Don and Norma Cornelius.
On my last trip back to Iowa in May of 2022, I told my father, "I want you to know that you and mom gave us a great upbringing. We had Shetland ponies, dogs, cats, and hamsters; what more could a kid ask for? We had rivers to play in and always returned after a hard day of playing to food on the table. We may not have had a lot of money but we have a wealth of memories. You and mom did well; dad, you have had a pretty good run in this life. I thank you for everything you provided to me."
Upon leaving Iowa in 2022, I told Dad that I did not know if I would see him again, but I wanted him to know that I loved him. We hugged, he told me he loved me, and I left for the Des Moines airport to return to San Diego.
Seeing dad in Sept. 2021 and May 2022 was important to me. Dad and I had some really sincere conversations; I was able to say my goodbyes to him then. I made it a point after COVID to see him a few times because we all knew he was deteriorating physically. I talked to dad on Jan. 7 for an hour and on Jan. 14 for 10 minutes; both times he seemed in pain and really tired. I felt like his time was short after each phone call with him.
Dad was ready to step over and make the journey to meet with mom. With the passing of my mother, Norma Cornelius, in 2019 and the passing of my father now the journey from life to death is complete for both of them. Mom and Dad were great parents and I miss them both. They will both forever live in our family's hearts and forever be loved.
Mom and Dad
Mom and Dad
Mom and Dad
Mom and Dad
Mom and Dad
Mom and Dad
Mom and Dad
Mom and Dad
Mom and Dad
Mom and Dad
Mom and Dad
Mom and Dad
Mom and Dad
Rest in peace Don. You were a great neighbor for over forty years. Such a caring person. I will miss you and our chats.
Service
Ames, IA 50010
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