Donald Deter

Donald E. Deter, 88, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Friday, January 27, 2017, at his home in Atlantic.

Don was born October 26, 1928, in Omaha, Nebraska. His parents were Frank H. and Besse (Carlson) Deter. Don grew up in Papillion, NE and graduated from high school in 1946. He served in the U.S. Marine Corp during WWII. He attended the University of Nebraska Lincoln where he was a member of Beta Sigma Psi fraternity. He graduated from Omaha University with a BS in Business Administration. Don was married to Jane L. Laughlin in 1950 and they had three children, Rodney R., D. Scott, and Jennifer A.

Don worked for Sears, GM, and Salsness Buick, before becoming the Rambler dealer in Sioux City, Iowa. On July 1, 1964, he moved the family to Atlantic when he purchased Linke Chevrolet, Buick dealership. He grew the auto business when he purchased the Pontiac, Oldsmobile and Cadillac dealership and then again when he purchased the Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep dealership. In 2014, he celebrated his 50th year as a dealer.

Dandy Don, as he was known by many of his friends and acquaintances, was very active in the Atlantic community. He worked on many community projects and supported the Atlantic school and community sports programs. He was a deacon at the First United Presbyterian Church. He was a member of Rotary, the Chamber of Commerce, the Industrial Board, High Expectations Investment Club and the Downtown Athletic Club. Don was a director for the Iowa Auto Dealers Association, served on the Buick Advertising Board, was on the Chevrolet Dealer Council, and was elected to the UNO College of Business Administration Hall of Fame.

Don was a rabid Nebraska Cornhusker fan. He was a member of the Nebraska Wheel Club and had season tickets for many years. He also attended several bowl games with friends who were also Nebraska fans.

Don's love for cars lead to the ownership of a race car. Don was serious about having a competitive racing team and enjoyed watching his car race throughout southwest Iowa where they won many awards.

Boats were another passion for Don. On summer weekends, he and family could be found boating on the Missouri River with their many boating friends and family.

He enjoyed playing golf and watching any and all sports.

Don is survived by his wife, Jane Laughlin Deter of Atlantic, IA; son, Rodney Deter of San Antonio, TX; daughter, Jennifer Deter and Craig Glasgow of Percival, IA; grandchildren, Rebekah (Ryan) Kelly of Durham, NC, Ryan (Jaclyn) Deter of Simpsonville, SC and Sarah Grady and Howard Kaplan of Chicago, IL; great-grandchildren, Ansley and Blakely Deter, Maude and Jane Kelly and Ben and Lily Kaplan; daughter-in-law, LuAnn Deter of Atlantic, IA; brother-in-law, sister-in-law, Kenneth and Jeanette Kinsey of Iowa City, IA; nephews, Jim Brunn of Minneapolis, MN, Kristofer Kinsey of the UK; and a niece, Elizabeth Hawley of Minneapolis, MN.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Besse Deter; son, Scott Deter; sister, Arlene Brunn; and brother-in-law, Dick Brunn.

Visitation will be from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Monday, January 30, 2017, at Deter Motor Company in Atlantic, Iowa.

A funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 31, 2017, at Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Atlantic, Iowa, with burial in the Atlantic Cemetery.