Gerald Dean Whitten

Gerald Dean Whitten, age 84, of Redfield, IA, and formerly of Coon Rapids, IA, passed away on Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at Lakeside Village in Panora, IA.

A private family funeral service will be held on Friday, May 15, 2020 at the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Coon Rapids with John Kult officiating.  Casket bearers will be Gerald’s grandchildren.

A public graveside service will be held at 1:30 P.M. on Friday, May 15, 2020 at the Union Township Cemetery near Coon Rapids with military honors conducted by the Coon Rapids American Legion.  Those in attendance at the cemetery are asked to abide by Covid-19 social distancing guidelines.

Those who wish may mail memorials to: The family of Gerald Whitten c/o Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home, 518 Main St., Coon Rapids, Iowa  50058

Gerald's funeral and graveside service may be viewed by clicking on this link: https://youtu.be/FVuIJ1-Xhpk

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Coon Rapids and online condolences may be left for the family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com

Gerald was born on June 8, 1935 on his family’s farm south of Coon Rapids and was the son of Leonard Orlo and Grace (Neal) Whitten.  He grew up in Coon Rapids where he graduated from high school in 1953.  Following high school he enlisted in the United States Army and served two years stationed in El Paso, TX.  Following his honorable discharge, Gerald returned to Iowa and attended Buena Vista College in Storm Lake and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education.  He was married to Mary Vieltorf on November 28, 1959 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Bayard.  The couple raised their family in Redfield, IA, where Gerald taught high school Math.  He retired from teaching in 1989 and did house painting in his spare time.  Gerald enjoyed following the horse races, playing Sudoku, fishing, golfing, working in his yard, and spending time with his family.

Gerald is survived by his wife Mary of 60 years of Panora, IA; a daughter Teresa Thompson (Randy) of Grimes, IA; two sons: Tim Whitten (Jennifer) of Highland, IL, and Tom Whitten (Lisa) of Hiawatha, IA; seven grandchildren: Drew Thompson (Katie) of Omaha, NE, Samantha Whitten of New York, NY, Blake Whitten of Hiawatha, IA, Zach Thompson of Grimes, IA, Lukas Whitten of Highland, IL, Laini Whitten of Hiawatha, IA, and Alexa Whitten of Hiawatha, IA; one great-grandson Hayden Thompson; a brother Bob Whitten of Johnston, IA; a sister Myrna Wulf of Carroll, IA; a brother-in-law Paul Vieltorf (Jane) of Copley, OH; and many nieces and nephews.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents Leonard and Grace Whitten; his in-laws: Rudy and Mary Ann Vieltorf; five sisters: Wynona Walsh (Clair), RowenaKult (Ed), Jo Ann Alex (John), LettieFee (Phillip), and Betty Whitten; three brothers: Neal Whitten, Lans Whitten, Kyle Whitten (Joan).