Obituary

Donald G. Naset passed away peacefully, in the presence of family, on March 12 of natural causes. Don is survived by Barbara Naset, his wife of 67 years; his children, Kelly Naset, Scott Naset (Maureen), Kevin Naset, and George Naset (Elizabeth Nagy); his grandchildren Victoria Oberender (Nate), Emily Hollister, Dylan Hollister (Taylor), Katie Naset (Zack Peterson), Adam Naset (Amanda), Jason Naset (Danielle), Hayley Mack, and Hannah Miller (Patrick); and six great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers Jack and Clayton Naset. Don was preceded in death by his parents George and Ina Naset, as well as siblings Arnold, Robert, Charlotte & Eleanor.

Don was born on September 25, 1938, in Columbia Heights Minnesota. His family eventually settled in East Des Moines when Don was a child, where he would live for the remainder of his life. When Don was 12, he was severely burned in a fire that destroyed the family home. As a young adult, Don wanted to follow in his older brother Clayton’s footsteps and join the Air Force, however, scar tissue from the childhood fire kept him from being accepted.

Don worked in the landscaping business for much of his adult life… beginning as a sod-cutter and then starting his own landscaping company in 1970. During this time, he also worked as an insurance agent & broker. In 2001, Don bought Valley Junction Insurance in West Des Moines where he worked for the remainder of his life—he regularly came into the office as recently as two months before his death. Don’s energy level and work ethic were extraordinary. Throughout most of his adult life he worked 12-hour days with landscaping during the day and insurance services in the evenings, all while raising a family. Don built Valley Junction Insurance into a firm known for its focus on the customer, fairness, and always there to help the little guy and small business owner. He took great care in taking time making sure the customer understood exactly what they were buying and why they needed to understand it. Valley Junction remains a family business managed by his youngest son, Kevin.

Don developed friendships easily, with many lasting decades, and making new friends continuously throughout his life. He loved to talk and was generous with his time. It wasn’t uncommon for friends to attend family holiday gatherings. His annual 4th of July party sometimes drew upwards of 100 people—he eventually had to cancel it due to its size—and being an insurance guy probably the liability. The number of clients who became personal friends is innumerable. He was quick to smile and laugh. Longtime friends of his children, and even grandchildren, often stopped by to catch up or simply to say hello. He loved to debate but never let a disagreement spill over to the next day, if not the next 15 minutes. One of the lines he often quoted is a familiar one, usually attributed to American humorist Will Rogers; “I never met a man I didn’t like.” He lived by it.

Don and Barb loved to dance and made many friends from the dance venues they frequented. Outside of work Don and Barb were inseparable. They loved to travel and over the years went to places they never imagined as possible in their humble beginnings. Don loved the Iowa State Fair, attending most every day and buying enough advance tickets to freely hand them out to anyone who stopped by. You could usually find him at Jalapeno Pete’s--and if the music was playing--dancing with Barb. Don was a sports fan and loved to gather with family to watch football games—especially his beloved Minnesota Vikings. He was an outstanding card player, and as recently as last Christmas and Thanksgiving, winning at the family card game, Hearts—great card counter.

In summation Don loved Barb, his family, and the people he came to know. Given the fact Don and Barb were married at 18 and 17 years of age, steadfastly in love, together for 67 years, it is not a platitude to say, they were the love of each other’s life.

Visitation will be 6-8 p.m., Monday, March 17 at Iles Grandview Park Chapel. His funeral will be at 1 p.m., Tuesday, March 18 at the chapel followed by interment at Laurel Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Gigi’s Playhouse in Des Moines.

Please visit www.IlesFuneralHomes.com to express condolences.

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