Donald Kaceil Werner's Obituary
Donald Kaceil Werner passed away on October 1, 2023 at the age of 89. He is survived by his loving children, Barbara Werner-Lubich (Bruce Lubich), Michael (Cindi) Werner, Karen (Rand) Milstein, and Christopher (Tracie) Werner, his daughter-in-law Lisa Sullivan Werner, his adoring grandchildren Sean Dagen, Justin (Corinne) Dagen, Rachel Lubich (Max Bergen), Tyler Werner, Joshua Milstein, Benjamin Milstein, Kathleen Werner-Shearer (Michael Shearer), Daniel Werner (Valerie Bertsch), Ayla (Shane) Smith, Nicholas Werner, and Emily Werner, and his great-grandchildren Pearl Buzick, Mataia Smith, and Karsten Smith.
Don was married twice, to Gloria Watson Werner and to Betty Brown Goodman Werner; both marriages ended in divorce. He was predeceased by his son Brian Werner, his brother Kurtis Werner, and his loving parents Samuel Kaceil Werner and Viola “Pat” Reynolds Werner.
Don was born in Los Angeles, California and raised in Des Moines, Iowa. He was very athletic. During his high school years, he lettered 3 years in both golf and swimming, winning the city championship in both backstroke and golf. In 1953, he was Iowa state Golden Gloves Boxing Novice champion as a featherweight. Don continued winning golf championships throughout his lifetime. He was especially proud of the hole-in-one he scored at Del Tura Golf Course in Florida. Later in life, he enjoyed tennis, golf, dancing, and bowling.
Don was a proud military veteran of 40 years, having served on active duty with the US Army during the Korean War and in the Army Reserves and then Air Force Reserves, reaching the rank of Captain before his retirement. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1959 from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, becoming a proud lifelong member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. During his career he served as a sales manager for several companies in the computer industry, including IBM and General Electric.
There will be a private memorial service for the immediate family only. The family requests no flowers. Instead, donations in Don’s memory to support veterans’ activities can be made to the Residents Fund at the Douglas T. Jacobson State Veterans Home, 21281 Grayton Terrace, Port Charlotte, FL 33954, attention Megan Kirkpatrick.
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