Donald R. Hargens, 96, of Griswold, Iowa, passed away Friday, January 1, 2016, at the Griswold Rehabilitation & Health Care Center in Griswold.

He was born in Manning, Iowa, on March 16, 1919, the son of Herman and Laura (Jansen) Hargens. Donald grew up in the Gray, Iowa, area and attended country school in Gray until the eighth grade. At 13 years of age, he started working on farms for his uncles in the Manning area, and did so until he joined the service.

Donald joined the United States Army on January 21, 1942. He was united in marriage to Juanita Kroeger in Orlando, Florida, on December 1, 1942. Donald continued his military service and served in North Africa and Italy during World War II, before being discharged in September of 1945. Once discharged from the service, Donald resumed farming with Juanita in Westside, Iowa. Donald loved to farm and he and Juanita eventually would farm in the southwest Iowa area before ending up in Brayton, Iowa. He retired in 1985 in Brayton.

He was a member of the Federated United Church of Christ in Exira, Iowa. Donald served on the church board and was a very active member of the church. He was also active in the Brayton community and a member of the Brayton American Legion before moving to Griswold. He then became a member of the Griswold American Legion Post #508.

Donald enjoyed playing cards with family and friends, and in his later years, talking about the war. His greatest love was his family and attending his children's, grandchildren's and eventually great-grandchildren's sporting events and other activities.

Donald is survived by three sons, Mark Hargens and his wife, Vicki of Columbia, Missouri; Dave Hargens of Houston, Texas; and James Hargens and his wife, Adair of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; daughter, Joy Abuhl and her husband, Wayne of Griswold, Iowa; grandchildren, Jill Werner and her husband, Mike of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Ann Wright and her husband, Jeff of Sergeant Bluffs, Iowa; Michael Hargens and his wife, Lindsay of Kansas City, Kansas; Ryan Hargens and his wife, Maureen of Kansas City, Missouri; Will Hargens of Fargo, North Dakota; Erin Hargens of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and David Jr. and his wife, Terra Hargens of Katy, Texas; 9 great-grandchildren, Jackson, Daniel and Joseph Wright, Creighton and Sierra Werner, Samuel, Ella and Caroline Hargens and Reese Hargens; sisters-in-law, Marge Hargens of Des Moines, Iowa; Irma Tounget of Wall Lake, Iowa; and Virgene Kroeger of Manning, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding Donald in death were his wife, Juanita Hargens; his parents; son, Michael Hargens; son-in-law, Marvin Pelzer; and siblings, Irene Hansen, Elaine Kroger, Harold Hargens, Dewey Hargens, Merlin Hargens, and Wayne Hargens.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, January 5, 2016, at St. John's United Church of Christ, one mile south of Lyman, Iowa.

Visitation is scheduled for Monday, January 4, 2016, with the family present to greet friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa.

Burial will be in the St. John's Cemetery, south of Lyman, Iowa. Following services at the cemetery the family invites you to join them for lunch and fellowship in the church fellowship hall.

The family is requesting memorials to St. John's United Church of Christ, Griswold, Iowa, or the Griswold Care Center Auxiliary.

Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.