Douglas Edward Nussbaum

Douglas Edward Nussbaum, 49, of Ames, IA, passed away, Friday, April 10, 2026 at his residence in Ames. A visitation will be from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Friday, May 8, 2026 at Urbandale United Church of Christ in Urbandale, IA. A memorial service will be at 11:00 AM, Saturday, May 9, 2026 at the church. Private Family interment will take place at Iowa Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made out to the family or to the Urbandale United Church-Christ. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.caldwellparrish.com

Douglas Edward Nussbaum was born October 23, 1976 in Des Moines, IA to Ronald and Sandra (LeVear) Nussbaum. Doug was a healthy baby until he reacted to the Pertussi in the DPT shots he received as a baby. He has had seizures since his second reaction at seven months.

Doug attended several elementary schools for pre-school. Madison elementary in Des Moines and Fairmeadows in West Des Moines for elementary and SMouse and Ruby Van Meter to finish. While he was at Smouse he met the love of his life. Annie and he were girlfriend boyfriend for over ten years. Annie passed away a couple years after they graduated but Angel Annie helped him get through some challenging times.

Doug lived in several group homes and in 2000 we were able to get him into Woodward Resource Center in Woodward, Iowa. He enjoyed the Woodward July 4 celebration that the Center hosted a few days before the 4th. Leave it to Doug, he usually had more candy in his bowl when the parade was done than when he started! He was able to ride his bike around campus by himself. He had a tricycle bike that if he had a seizure he would stay in the seat of the bike and social butterfly Doug was known by almost every staff person on campus and they knew where he lived and what to do for a seizure.

In 2014 Doug moved to a Woodward group home in Ames. He lives in a house with three other men, he enjoys his couple days a week that he goes to the Mainstream Living center for activities. He has a new girlfriend. However, those who know Kelly (who Doug wants to marry) have told me they don't think Kelly knows that Doug wants to get married!

Doug was preceded in death by his father Ron, grandparents Earl Sr. and Helen Nussbaum, Verna LeVear and Reg Sears. He is survived by his mother Sandy, brother David (Jacque), sister Kari, his nephews, Daniel (Hana), Sean and Ryan Nussbaum and great-nephew Callan Nussbaum. He will be remembered by the MANY church family friends as well as friends from Woodward Resource Center and Group Home, Camp Sunnyside, Mainstream Living and a lot more places as Doug didn't meet strangers, only someone to get to know!