Donald Paul Wempe

Donald "Don" P. Wempe, 65, of Urbandale, Iowa, passed away on February 25, 2026. Donald was born on September 26, 1960, in Perry, Iowa, where he grew up. He graduated from Perry High School and went on to attend Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, where he earned two bachelor’s degrees.

Don had a strong work ethic throughout his life. As a young boy, he began earning money by mowing lawns and completing a paper route. During his high school years, he worked at Fareway in Perry. Don earned his two bachelor’s degrees while working approximately 30 hours per week in various off-campus jobs.

Over the years, Don held a variety of positions, including store manager at Four Sons in Storm Lake, Iowa; sales representative for Prudential Insurance Company; night stock manager at a Hy-Vee store in Des Moines; and assistant manager at a Casey’s store in Ames. Don later built a career of more than 20 years with Mediacom, where he held several positions during his time with the company.

Don loved playing pool and was a very active pool player. He also enjoyed golfing, skiing, and target shooting. Don attended St. Pius X Catholic Church in Urbandale, Iowa, where he valued his faith and community.

Don was never married and did not have children. He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Elaine Wempe, and his brother, James M. Wempe.

He is survived by his sisters, Jeanne Stewart (Jim) of Ames, Iowa; Margaret Meyers (Mark †) of Ankeny, Iowa; and Teresa Malchesky (Vic †) of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and his brother, Dave Tyler (Minette) of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He is also survived by his nephews, Paul Stewart, Matthew Stewart, and Paul Tyler, and his nieces, Jenny (Meyers) Wise and Kim (Meyers) Woythaler. Don is also survived by 7 Great Nephews and 3 Great Nieces.

A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at the Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home, Perry Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Perry, with burial to follow at Violet Hill Cemetery in Perry.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in memory of Don. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.caldwellparrish.com.

Don will be remembered by family and friends for his strong work ethic, his love of pool and sports, and the many memories he shared with those who knew him.