Donald Kapler, 78

Nov. 4, 1946 - 

 Aug. 6, 2025

 

CRESCO - Donald "Don" Kapler, age 78, of Cresco, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, August 6, 2025.

Mass of Christian Burial for Don will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, August 14, 2025, at Notre Dame Catholic Church with Father Jacob Rouse officiating. A public visitation will be held from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. prior to Mass on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at the church, with Recitation of the Rosary beginning at 9:00 a.m. Don will be laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery in Cresco. Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Donald Eugene Kapler was born on November 4, 1946, the son of Leonard and Cecelia (Shatek) Kapler, in Cresco, Iowa. He graduated from Notre Dame High School. Don met the love of his life, Carol Burke, while working on a roofing job, and the two were married on April 24, 1971, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Waucoma, Iowa.

Don spent his life working hard as both a farmer and a professional roofer, owning his own roofing business for 40 years before retiring. He had a true gift for conversation—he could strike up a chat with anyone, anywhere—and he valued his family, his farm, nature, and his faith above all else. A proud "low tech" man, Don preferred the simple life and often had a hard time figuring out new gadgets or technology; instead, he spent his free time riding his John Deere Gator and taking in the beauty of the outdoors. He was known for his comical stubbornness, his unwavering work ethic, and his love for all things John Deere.

He enjoyed life's simple pleasures, like never letting his stash of salted peanuts, Ritz crackers, black licorice, and Fig Newtons run low.

Don is survived by his wife, Carol Kapler; children Kathy (David) Leis of Rochester, MN, Steve Kapler, and Mark (Jessica) Kapler of Cresco, IA; grandchildren Michael (Anela Kolii) Krahenbuhl, Rylee Kapler, Timothy Kapler, Carley Kapler, Daniel Kapler, Liberty Leis, Jesse Leis, and Payton Leis; great-grandchildren Zennith Krahenbuhl and Everen Krahenbuhl; siblings Raphael (Linda) Kapler of New Hampton, IA, Eugene (Joyce) Kapler of Cresco, IA, and Patty (Tom) O'Brien of Waterloo, IA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Cecelia Kapler.

Don leaves behind a legacy of hard work, humor, faith, and love—a legacy that will live on in the fields he tended, the conversations he sparked, and the family he cherished.