Pokorney, Donald Dean 1944-2010 

POKORNEY, CRISS, KAMERICK, VAN ZEE

Donald Dean Pokorney was born on November 8, 1944, in Ainsworth, Nebraska, the son of Williard Eugene and Viola Mae Criss Pokorney. Don had one full brother, Gerald, and he attended Deadwood High School in Deadwood, South Dakota. While Don was growing up he acquired a sister, Sandy and his mother, Viola, then remarried Donald Kamerick. Viola and Donald Kamerick had three sons: Donald Ray, Daniel and Terry and along with Donald Kamerick's children by a previous marriage: Donna, Judy and Diane they became a blended family. One memorable childhood story Don shared was the family had a police dog called "Mike". If any of the children were missing, they could call "Mike" and he always knew where they were. 

On January 13, 1964, Donald was united in marriage with Donna Mae Van Zee and to this union three children were born: Darla Joann, Donald Eugene and Dennis Arthur. Donald fulfilled his military obligation by serving with the Army National Guard. He served during the Vietnam War and was discharged in March of 1976. Following his discharge Don became a factory worker at the Rolscreen Company in Pella, Iowa. He then owned and operated the Phillips 66 Gas Station in Pella for two years. Truck driving was his main occupation in life. Don trucked for DRS in Oskaloosa, Iowa and worked for Pierson Seed Producers before moving to Gillette, Wyoming in 1980. He worked for Cobra Tire as a tireman for the coal mines and was an assistant branch manager for Brad Ragan Tire. 

While working for Pierson Seed Producers he and Janice Elaine Van Zee met. While they were both residing in different states at the time Donnie proposed to Janice over the telephone and on April 26, 1980, they were united in marriage at the United Methodist Church in Deadwood, South Dakota. Their marriage was made special by being able to talk anything out and never going to sleep angry. Don and Jan moved back to Pella where he began driving truck for Hawkeye Wood Shavings and Jacobson Transportation in Des Moines, Iowa. Besides mainly pulling for Jacobson's, Don owned his own trucking company at one time starting with three trucks. Before becoming ill and retiring, Don was working for Pella Construction Company driving a ready-mix truck. All his children remember doing things together, whether recreational like fishing and hunting, or working on remodeling rooms in their homes along with a garage and making the grandchildren a sandbox. 

On Thursday morning, April 29, 2010, he passed away at the Knoxville Hospital & Clinics in Knoxville, Iowa at the age of 65 years. 

Donnie is survived by his wife, Janice Pokorney; his three children and nine grandchildren: Darla and Kelly Beller of Leighton, Iowa, Kandace, Kody Beller; Donald and Marla (Betterton) Pokorney of Pleasantville, Iowa,Amanda, Kathryn and Jacob Pokorney;Dennis and Amy (Riordan) Killoren of Otley, Iowa,Alex, Sarah, Tyler and Ryan Killoren. He leaves his brother, Gerald Pokorney and his wife, Phyllis of Deadwood, South Dakota; a sister, Sandy Lubke of Oskaloosa, Iowa; brothers: Donald Ray Kamerick and his wife, Jodi of Pella, Daniel Kamerick of Pella, Terry Beal of Monroe, Iowa; step-sisters: Judy(Kamerick) Kerr of New Hope, Michigan , Diane (Kamerick) and her husband, Mike Costa of Holly, Michigan and a step-brother-in-law, Gene (Donna Kamerick) Waddell of Leighton, Iowa. 

Donald was preceded in death by his father, Willard Pokorney and his step-mother, Berniece (Criss) Pokorney; his mother, Viola Kamerick and his step-father, Donald Kamerick; a half-brother who died infancy and his step-sister, Donna (Kamerick) Waddell. 

Don had some close friends with whom he shared special times, Reuben Buwalda, Darrell Groenendyk, John Hall, Roger Hardy, Steve McCombs, Larry Roorda and Terry Van Steenis. Going to Minnesota on vacations, fishing, camping and hunting; riding 4-wheelers, cutting down trees and clearing brush, or just visiting or messing around in the shop were just a few of these experiences. Don enjoyed strumming on his guitar and appreciated country music. His memories of growing up in the hills and woods of South Dakota were his favorite place to visit. Travels together with family and friends and hunting, fishing, woodworking and tinkering in the garage were his favorite activities. Donald was baptized at the United Methodist Church in Deadwood, South Dakota in March of 1955. 

At the time of his death he was a member of the Heartland Reformed Church in Pella, Iowa. Donnie was always a very positive person, accepting of what life threw his way, good or bad, even his illness. He would want to be remembered as a simple person who really did not need a lot of material things, as that did not mean as much to him as the love of his loving family and friends.