Don Held, 90, of Hinton, passed away from natural causes after a long illness in the comfort and presence of family members on Sunday, September 19, 2021.

Funeral Service will be held at Hinton United Methodist Church at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, September 27, with Pastor Beth Odor officiating. Visitation will be at Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars on Sunday, September 26 from 5-7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will resume one hour prior to services at the church. Expressions of sympathy may be expressed to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com .

Donald Dwayne Held was born on October 14, 1930 in Sioux City, Iowa, the son of Elvin and Minnie (Stilwell) Held. He was raised on the family farm that has been in the Held family since the 1860's and was proud when this farm received recognition as a Century Farm.

Don attended a one-room schoolhouse in Hungerford Township through the eighth grade and then attended Hinton High School where he graduated in 1948. Don took over the family farming operation at the age of 17 after his father suffered a heart attack and was unable to continue farming on his own. Don was actively engaged in the farming operation for over 65 years and continued helping his son John with farming until his health prevented him from doing so. He also drove the Hinton school bus for many years, including the activity bus after practices.

Don met the love of his life, Mabel Stanley, a kindergarten teacher at Hinton School, in 1955 and they were married on June 2, 1957. To this union, five children were born. Mabel passed away in September 1972. Don married Lois (Schneider) Berner in 1982. They later divorced. Don married Arlene (Stusse) Plumer in February 1991. They made their home on an acreage near the family farm.

Don loved life on the farm and enjoyed every aspect of farming. Farming was not only his occupation, it was his hobby as well. He was one of the first in the area to adopt the use of terracing for erosion control. He was active in Farm Bureau, Plymouth County ASCS, was a township trustee and served many years on the Floyd Valley Cemetery Board where many generations of the Held family are buried. His great grandfather was a founding member of the Evangelical church at Melbourne. Don was a life-long member of the United Methodist Church in Hinton and was very active in the church, serving on numerous boards and committees. He attended faithfully until his health prevented him from attending church in person. The three things most important to Don were faith, family and farming.

Don is survived by his wife, Arlene; five children, Donna (Jerry) Varenhorst, Robert (Janet) Held, Bradley (Kris Endreson) Held, John (Judy) Held and Diane (Todd) Joanning; twelve grandchildren, Adam (Erica) Varenhorst, Matthew (Lorinda Hille) Held, Kyle (Amanda) Held, Amy (Jordan) Reid, Lisa (Jeremy) Cotter, Ryan (Alicia) Held, Eric Held, Benjimin (Breaunna Rogne) Held, RaLeah (Kipp Strube) Held, Braden (Kayla Caskey) Held, Nathan Held, and Logan (Hannah Andrews) Held; sixteen great-grandchildren, Briann, Preston, Henry, Calvin, Bobby, Laura, Gavin, Delaney, Teyla, Brody, Evelynne, Blake, Charlotte, Hoytt, Huxley and Isabella; five step children, numerous step grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and countless friends.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Elvin and Minnie Held; first wife, Mabel; sister, Evelyn (Stanley) Saunders; four sisters-in-law, Gladys (Ralph) Modglin, Stella Stanley, Edith Stanley, and Betty (Bob) Newton; great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Ann Cotter; many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

The family wishes to thank Hinton Ambulance for transporting Don to the hospital, Merrill Ambulance for transferring Don to Happy Siesta Nursing Home, the wonderful doctors and nurses at MercyOne, the compassionate care by Floyd Valley Home Health, Visiting Angels, St. Croix Hospice and Happy Siesta Nursing Home.

In lieu of memorials, please make donations in Don's memory to Floyd Valley Home Health, St. Croix Hospice, Visiting Angels, Hinton Community Scholarship Foundation, Hinton Ambulance or Merrill Ambulance.