Donald W. Heineking

Donald W. Heineking, 90 of Iowa City died Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at the Oaknoll Retirement Center in Iowa City.

Donald William Heineking (Don) was born to Theodore (Theo) and Clara Meyer Heineking Feb. 24, 1935. He grew up on a farm near Latimer. Don learned from his dad about the value of hard work and honesty. While he enjoyed his growing up years on the farm, his real interest, even as a young man, was working with people. 

Don was confirmed in the Evangelical and Reformed Church in Latimer (later became the United Church of Christ). Don graduated from Franklin Consolidated Schools in 1953. He attended the University of Iowa and graduated in 1958 with a BSC degree. Don served in the U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps in Ft. Lee, Virginia and spent 6 years in the army reserves. He retired with the rank of Captain. 

On August 14, 1957, Don married Marilyn Joyce Sorenson. They settled in Baxter, Iowa where Don worked at the local bank as a cashier. In 1961, while living in Baxter, they welcomed their first-born, a son named Mark Donald.

In 1962 the Heineking’s moved to Hubbard, Iowa and Don became the president and C.E.O. of Security State Bank, a position he held for over 55 years. Two girls were born to Don and Marilyn while living in Hubbard: Kristin Joyce in 1963 and Lisa Marie in 1967.Don and Marilyn raised their family in Hubbard and considered it “home” thereafter. During the early years while the children were growing up Don and Marilyn and family enjoyed traveling in their Airstream trailer. Don was also known to relax after work on his motorcycle as he roamed the nearby countryside. In later years the family vacationed at their cottage on Clear Lake.

Don was active in his community and in the banking world. He served as President of the Community Bankers of Iowa and was on the board of the Iowa Banker’s Association. He was a financial supporter of local efforts such as the Hubbard Rehab/Care Center, the Hubbard Medical Clinic and the Hubbard swimming pool. He served as President of Robin Lane Farms. Don and Marilyn moved to Iowa City in 1998. Marilyn died in 2004 a few years after suffering a stroke. Don served for 10 years as a member of the Board of Directors for University of Iowa Center for Advancement and continued as an honorary member. He contributed to scholarships in 8 different men and women’s  sports. He was on the National I-Club Board of Directors, the Iowa Athletic Scholarship Committee and the Johnson County I-Club Board of Directors. In 2007 Don was named “Hawk of the Year” by the National I-Club.  He was a member of the Carver-Hawkeye Area Renovation/Expansion Campaign. Don was a Kinnick Society member. 

Don has supported medical research through the University of Iowa in the areas of Ophthalmology and Parkinson’s Disease. Don also enjoyed the performing arts and was a supporter and donor to Hancher. Don was a member of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Iowa City. Don moved to Oaknoll in 2015 and found new friends and new activities available to him in the Oaknoll retirement community. Don was a social being who enjoyed conversations with friends but also with anyone he met whether a seatmate on a plane or simply someone he might meet while taking a leisurely walk. In later life he especially enjoyed the young people who served as “companions” for him at Oaknoll as his health declined. Besides assistance they brought light and joy to every day when his mind remained sharp, but his vision had dimmed, and his physical body was failing him.

Don is survived by his 3 children: Mark Heineking, , Kristin Barrash (Joe) and Lisa Heineking (Christopher Preminger). Also surviving him are his 3 beloved grandchildren who brought great pleasure to Don’s life: Seth Barrash, Ike (Issac) Barrash and Ian Preminger.  Don’s in-laws, Caryl VandeVoort, Andy Sorenson, and several cousins survive him as well as his longtime friend Sally Mathis Hartwig.

Funeral services will take place at 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, at the St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Iowa City.  Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at  Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City.  Private family graveside services will take place at the Hampton Cemetery in Hampton.  In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made in Don’s honor to the HACAP Food Reservoir. 

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