SSG (Ret) Donald Robert Cowell

Donald “Donny” Cowell, son of the late Harry and Mary (Greenbush) Cowell, was born February 24, 1929 in Walnut Grove, Minnesota. He departed this life March 6, 2019, in Morton Plant Hospital of Clearwater, Florida at the age of 90 years and 10 days. “Donny” was 4th of 6 children; siblings Laura Van Merverne (Ike) (7 kids), Leo (Alice Hanson) (9 kids), Helen (David Sammons) (6 kids), Dorothy Smith (2 kids), and “Sonny” Eldon (Jean) (6 kids). He left Minnesota enlisting in the US Army (USA), November 5, 1948 - February 28, 1969, served in the Korean Conflict and honorably retired Staff Sergeant (SSG), USA. Key assignments included Korea, Baumholder and Kaiserslautern, Germany, instructor at West Point, New York, Fort Hood, Texas and Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. In Germany he met the love of his life “Irmengard” he lovingly nicknamed “Golly”. They married on July 15, 1950 in Straubing and had eight children: Donny, Leo, Steve, Christine (Don), Lisa, Irma (Chad), Maxine (Mike) and Michael. There are 14+ grandchildren: Teresa, Melissa, Patricia, Alberta, Katie, Misty, Jessica, Dennis, Cassie, Andrew, Devin, Skyla, Madison and Mason; several great grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Don was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, wife and three sons, Donny, Leo and Steve. Our beautiful beloved Dad, Grandfather, friend and neighbor. Your favorites included movies (Rio, Tarzan and Despicable Me), TV shows “Naked and Afraid”, “Animal Planet”, “Fast & Loud” (car mechanic shows) and snacks, deviled eggs, KFC (Mashed Potatoes w/gravy), Checkers Hot Dogs with ketchup. A man of few words, avid people watcher, expert playing “Possum” around doctors and you take with you our love and our very, very proud but totally broken hearts. All our love always. Chris, Dennis, Lisa, Irma, Max, Michael and all the family, friends… Special thanks to his personal CNA/Nurse Sitters: Moya, Amber, Janise, and a dozen other CNAs over the past 3 years whom he adored and we are thankful to. Visitation was held from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Sunday, March 17, 2019 in the Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert. Services followed at 3:00 p.m. in the funeral chapel with United States Army Chaplain (CPT) Brent Sanders officiating. The songs “I Can Only Imagine” by Mercy Me, “You Say” by Lauren Daigle and “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)” by Chris Tomlin were played. Serving as escorts were the United States Army. Burial with military honors followed in the Sunset Memorial Estates Cemetery of Waynesville. Military honors were provided by the United States Army of Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Don Cowell to Loving Paws, 319 Keeth Road, Crocker, Missouri 65452 or may be left at the funeral home.

SSG (Ret) Donald Robert Cowell

February 24, 1929 - March 6, 2019