Airman First Class Donald Pfannkuch was inducted into the U.S. Air Force on April 21, 1952. He took basic training at Parks Air Force Base in Pleasanton, California, and training at Lowry AFB, Colorado, as Munitions Specialist. Don's most significant duty assignment was with the 809th Supply Squadron, 809th Air Base Group (SAC). He received the National Defense Service Medal. He was a member of the "Brotherhood of Desert Rats,” serving over a year at Sidi Slimane Air Base in French Morocco. He was discharged on April 21, 1956, from MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, and was on inactive reserve until March 31, 1960.
Donald Dwayne, son of Frank and Emma (Voege) Pfannkuch, was born July 10, 1931, at home in Jackson Township, Crawford County. After his mother died in 1939, the family moved to a farm south of Manning. Don attended school in Manning and graduated from Manning High School in 1950. He then farmed with his dad.
In April 1952, Don was inducted into the U.S. Air Force and served as a munitions specialist. He was assigned to the 809th Supply Squadron of the 809th Air Base Group, which served a year at Sidi Slimane Air Base in French Morocco. In April 1956, Don was honorably discharged with the rank of airman first class and returned to farming in Iowa.
On August 2, 1959, Don married Kay Collins at First Baptist Church in Le Mars. Two children were born to this union. Don and Kay rented a farm south of Manning for a short time before purchasing a nearby farm. In 1996, they retired from farming. During his retirement, Don worked at the Irwin Cooperative and drove truck for Orland Fara. In 2006, they moved into Manning.
Don was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Manning and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He enjoyed part-time jobs, traveling, fishing and spending time with his grandchildren.
After a period of declining health, Don was diagnosed with ALS in July 2011. On Monday, September11, 2011, Don died in his sleep at his home in Manning.
Don is survived by his wife Kay of Manning; a daughter Hallie Greenfield and husband Tony of Marshall, Minnesota; a son Colin Pfannkuch and wife Dawn of Zumbrota, Minnesota; three grandchildren; Micah and Noah Greenfield and Eve Pfannkuch; a brother Earl Pfannkuch of Manning; numerous in-laws Bernice Pfannkuch; Mary Gay and Robert McClatchey; Cary and Carolyn Collins; Nancy Rolfes; Sue and Clifford Berreth; Ted and Malinda Collins; Timothy and Karen Collins; Kathleen and Robert Feller; Jack Collins; Jill Collins; and Priscilla and Curtis Strathman; and by nieces, nephews, other relatives, neighbors, friends and church family.
Don was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers and sisters: Francis in infancy; Ludwig Pfannkuch; Marvin Pfannkuch and wife Viola; Kenneth Pfannkuch and wife Lucille; Edna Ramsey and husband Jack; Irene Olson and husband Clifford; and a sister-in-law Lorene Pfannkuch.