The family of Dr. Donald F. Rodawig Jr. announces his passing on July 5, 2023, at 11:11pm. He was born on June 26, 1927, in Memphis, Tennessee, to Dr. Donald F. and Mary (Ellis) Rodawig. Dr. Don was united in marriage to Dienne (Duling) Rodawig on August 28, 1948, in Sioux City, Iowa. They had 7 children together. Dr. Don graduated from Spirit Lake high school in 1945. He served his country in the United States Army in Germany from 1945 to 1947. After his education, Dr. Don joined his father in family medicine at the Spirit Lake Medical Center, continuing his full-time practice until retiring in 1991. He continued practicing medicine as a Locum Tenens physician in North Carolina, Arizona, and Iowa until 2008, then accepted the Hospice Medical Director at Lakes Regional Healthcare until full retirement in 2017 at the age of 89.
Post High School Education: University of Iowa: Bachelor of Arts Degree – 1951 Graduate University of Iowa: Master of Arts Degree, Hospital Administration – 1952 Graduate University of South Dakota: Bachelor of Science Degree, Medicine – 1954 Graduate University of Iowa: Doctor of Medicine – 1956 Graduate Professional Experience/Accomplishments: Rockford Memorial Hospital, Rockford IL: General Rotating Internship Spirit Lake Medical Center: Partner – 1957 – 1991 Iowa Medical Society – Life Member, including Grievance Committee, District Councilman, Board of Trustees, Chairman, President 1989 Blue Shield Board of Trustees – 15 years Webster Life Insurance Company, Board Chairman – 5 years Spirit Lake Chamber of Commerce – Member Kiwanis – Member Kiwanis Citizen of the Year – 1989 Rotary – Member Dickinson County Memorial Hospital, President of Medical Staff Spirit Lake Medical Center, Owner – Marcus Snyder Memorial Hospital, Owner – Hilltop Care Center, Owner – Dickinson County Board of Health – 10 years Lakes Regional Healthcare Hospice, Medical Director – 10 years American Board of Family Practice – Member American Academy of Family Physicians – Life Member American Medical Society – Life Member Iowa Alumni Association – Life Member Veterans of Foreign War – Life Member Abu Bekr Shrine – Life Member Lakes National Bank, Board of Directors – 27 years Dickinson County Medical Examiner Interstate Postgraduate Medical Association, Chairman – 27 years Member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Spirit Lake, Iowa.
Dr. Don (affectionately known as “Fingers”), was an avid golfer and card player, loved football and basketball, especially the Iowa Hawkeyes, spending time with his family and friends, and was dedicated to the profession he loved. After Dienne’s passing in 2009, Dr. Don spent the latter years of his life with his special friend Carla McClure, her children, and their families.
Those grateful for having shared his life include his children: Donald Rodawig III (Jan Beck), Ann Dinklage (Rex Potter), Jane (Dan) Hummel, Elizabeth (Steve) Bennett, David (Michelle) Rodawig, Dan (Suzanne) Rodawig; 18 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; sisters,Susan Reams, Sandra Smoley; sister –in law Julie Rodawig; several nieces, and nephews. Also included, Carla McClure, and her children, Marty (Glenn) Van Eckeren, Melissa Nelson, MaryBeth (Dr. Kelly) Bosworth, Jon (Lindy) McClure; 11 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dienne; his parents; a brother, William Rodawig; daughter, Mary Dunleavy; granddaughter Jennifer Rodawig Birkey; and a grandson, Jackson David Rodawig.
On behalf of our Father, we thank you for sharing his memories, and will forever miss and remember the great man/physician he was. Blessed be his memory.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Don was held on Monday, July 10, 2023, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Spirit Lake. A visitation was held on Sunday at the Robinson Funeral Home in Spirit Lake follwoed by a Rosary Service at the funeral home. Burial was held in the St. Margaret’s Cemetery in Spirit Lake. A reception followed the burial at the Pearson Lakes Art Center in Okoboji.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Dr. Don’s name to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Lakes Regional Healthcare or to the Spirit Lake Community School Foundation. Arrangements are under the direction of the Robinson Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Online condolences may be left at www.spiritlakefuneralhome.com.
