Don Levins, 80, of Burlington, died Monday, Jan. 4, 2010, at the Great River Hospice House in West Burlington.
Born November 4, 1929, in New London, Iowa, he was the son of Alvin Patrick and Emily Mary French Levins. On July 14, 1952, he married Wanita “Ann” Bozarth in West Burlington.
Don was an industrial arts teacher at Burlington High School.
He was a 1949 graduate of St. Paul’s High School. He then graduated from Iowa Wesleyan College and Western Illinois University with a Master’s Degree in Education.
He was a U.S. Navy Veteran, serving during the Korean War. He served in the Naval Reserves from 1947 until 1978 and was also in the Coast Guard Auxiliary.
He was a member of Ss. John & Paul Catholic Church, and Knights of Columbus No. 568. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and woodworker. He was a fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and enjoyed boating, and traveling to Ireland, Italy, Germany and Puerto Rico. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife, Ann of Burlington; four daughters, Chris (George) Phillips of Temple, Ga., Roxanne Hoschek of Burlington, Amy (Scott) Smith of Moline, Ill., and Jill Levins of West Des Moines; three sons, Tom Levins of Omaha, Steve (Vickie) Levins of West Burlington, and Bryan Levins of Burlington; 10 grandchildren, Tara (Kevin) Dowd, Matt (Sandra) Levins, Eric (Cristina) Levins, Justin (Jean) Levins, Rachel Levins, Tyler Levins, Logan Hoschek, Garrett Hoschek, Spencer Smith, Parker Smith; four great-grandchildren, Moriah, Colin, Kile and Allison; five brothers, John Levins and LeRoy Levins, both of Burlington, Russell Levins of Cedar Rapids, Mark Levins of Quincy, Ill., and Mike Levins of West Burlington; six sisters, Marilyn Weingart of Burlington, Betty Frey of Decatur, Ill., Helen Rankin of Alexis, Ill., Rosemary Loper of West Burlington, Paulette Nichols of Burlington, Carol Phillips of North Liberty; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Kevin Levins, one daughter, Joan Johnston, two brothers, Patrick and Artie Levins, and one sister, Norma Raschendorfer.
Visitation will be from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. with the family to receive friends following a 5:30 p. m. rosary service until 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010, at the Hass-Thielen Funeral Home.
The Funeral Mass of the Resurrection for Mr. Levins will be 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 8, 2010, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with Father Bruce DeRammelaere as the celebrant. Music will be provided by the Des Moines County Resurrection Choir. Full military honors will be rendered by the Burlington Area Veterans Honor Guard at the church. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, West Burlington.
In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for Ss. John & Paul Catholic Church, and Great River Hospice House.
A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Don’s obituary at www.hassthielen.com
