Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
KOLSRUD, Donald H.
Kolsrud, Donald H. (Davenport, IA, Aug. 21, 1934--University of Iowa Hospitals, Iowa City, IA, Apr. 9, 2020) The son of Harris and Lucille (Greiser) Kolsrud, he graduated from DeWitt High School while living with Ray and Helen Cole, where he furthered his work ethic at Ray's gas station. He excelled at football and track, and continued his athletic achievements at the Iowa Teachers College, (now University of Northern Iowa) where he earned a bachelor's Degree in Business Education.
Donald served with the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1959 as a radio operator. He earned awards for his good conduct and his excellent marksmanship. After leaving the Army and completing his Master's degree, Don moved to Clinton Iowa and began teaching, eventually moving into the role of assistant principal. He married Judith Reter on June 6, 1963 in Clinton.
Don and his family moved to Dubuque in 1972 where he served as principal at DUBUQUE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL. A school board member who helped hire Don described him as possessing the qualities of "kindness, humility, tact, intelligence, compassion, charisma, and above all honesty." In 1977, Don convinced Sylvester Stallone who was filming F.I.S.T. in Dubuque, to attend the senior prom, one of many acts that earned him a spot as a student favorite. Don ended his career in Brooking, South Dakota, "teaching those kids how to be principals because apparently they think I'm pretty good at it".
The walls in Don's apartment were covered in awards he received as teacher and principal, and he never hesitated to express his love of education and students to anyone who listened. "There were no bad kids, only bad parents" was a favorite saying. Don and Judy returned to Clinton in 1993, taking up residence in their century old brick home on Garfield Avenue. In 2015, they moved to Iowa City to be closer to their daughter, the author Alex Brooklyn Bright. Judith passed away on December 5, 2016.
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Source:
Obituaries, Telegraph Herald, April 11, 2020, p. 4C