Donald Udyne Austin

   Donald Udyne Austin passed away, at the age of 76, on Monday, December 5, 2022 at his home in Waukee, Iowa.  Visitation will be held Tuesday, December 13, 2022 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Ernst Funeral Home in Waukee.  Funeral Services will be held Wednesday December 14, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints (Waukee) with interment to follow at Iowa Veterans Cemetery.  The funeral service will be live-streamed and can be viewed via: https://zoom.us/j/96205013391.

   Don was born on August 24, 1946 in Sioux City, Iowa to Shockley and Shirley Mae (Strohbehn) Austin.  On September 29, 1968, he would go on to marry the love of his life, Bonnie Lou Hoff in Eureka, South Dakota.  Don was a proud member of the USMC for over 20 years before his retirement in 1988.  Throughout the years, Don was stationed in Alexandria, VA and Jacksonville, NC before moving to Kansas City, MO and eventually settling here in Iowa.  He was a Fiscal & Supply Officer at USMC Automated Services Center, Vice-President of West Bank in West Des Moines and most recently worked as a morning stocker at Menards.

   Don was very active with the Boy Scouts of America, serving as a council and district commissioner on the Mid-Iowa Council of the Boy Scouts.  He helped over 100 young men achieve the rank of Eagle Scout over the years.  He would receive the Silver Beaver Award for his dedicated service on various levels.

   Don is survived by his wife Bonnie Lou of Waukee; children Marc Alan (Tami) of Provo, UT, Michelle Ann Greene of Des Moines, Monae Angela (Aaron) Starbuck of Provo, UT, Michael Anthony (Desirea) of Waukee, Matthew Aaron (Nicole) of Kansas City, MO and Mitchell Andrew (Michelli) of Alpharetta, GA.  He was preceded in death by his parents.

   Memorials may be directed in Don's memory to: Hope Ministries (1310 6th Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50314) or Toys 4 Tots (www.toysfortots.org).

   Ernst Funeral & Cremation Services of Waukee has been entrusted with Don's final arrangements.