Donald Eugene Iwen

1931 - 2007

Don was born in Bainville on November 19, 1931, to Austin and Ada Iwen. He attended school in Bainville and Wolf Point, graduating from Wolf Point High School, and later attended Northern Montana College, Eastern Montana College, and graduated from Western Montana College after having served his country in the Korean conflict. Don taught school at Lodge Grass, where he met his wife Dorothy.

They were married on June 2, 1956. Don and Dorothy taught school in Glendive and Garneill before settling in Billings in 1962. He taught school at Lincoln and Will James Junior High Schools until retiring in 1987.

In the summers, Don worked towards earning a masters degree, which was attained in 1961. Don also spent a number of summers as a ranger in Yellowstone National Park.

One of Donald’s greatest passions was gardening, and he enjoyed sharing his harvests with friends, colleagues, and neighbors.

Don played a major role in the raising of his two grandchildren, Amber and Christopher.

Donald is survived by his children, Beth of Billings, and Wayne of Bozeman; two grandchildren, Amber and Christopher; two brothers, Elwin "Jiggs" and wife Betty of Billings, and A.F. "Bud" Iwen and wife, Mary Helen of Helena; three sisters, Verna Johnson and husband Gil of Glasgow, LaDonna Sell and husband James of Phoenix, and Delcie Ray of Tehachapi, California, sister-in-law Lee Iwen (Darrell) of Glasgow; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Don was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy; parents, Austin and Ada; brothers Bernard and Darrell, and sister Eleanor Spitzer.

Funeral services will be held at 2 pm. Monday, Sept. 24, at Peace Lutheran Church. Burial will immediately follow at Mountview Cemetery in Billings.

The family wishes to give special thanks to the caring nurses and staff of Langemo and Fischer Cottages on St John’s Lutheran Campus.

In lieu of flowers, his family wishes memorials be made to a charity of one's choice.