Donald "Don" Fuller

Donald A. Fuller, 93, of Mason City, passed away on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at the Good Shepherd Health Center. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 213 N Pennsylvania Ave. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service time. Burial will be held in Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials can be directed to the family of Donald Fuller.

Donald “Don” Allen Fuller was born on March 11, 1933 in rural Clear Lake, Iowa to Cecil and Viola (Woodward) Fuller. Don attended school in Clear Lake where he was a member of the FFA. He graduated in 1951.

Don was introduced to his future wife, Bernadine Moore, by mutual friends and they were married on September 16, 1953 and shared a beautiful marriage for 72 years. Don and Bernie were blessed with three daughters: Toni, Lynn and Melanie.

Don went to work for Pritchard Ford in Mason City as a mechanic. Later the business was purchased and the dealership eventually became Schukei Chevrolet. Over time Don’s abilities led to his promotion as Service Manager. He worked for the dealership for 43 years and retired in 1995.

For many years after Don became a mechanic he continued to help on the family farm keeping equipment in running condition and helping with other various tasks as needed. He had an incredible work ethic.

Don spent his spare time on his hobby of building and flying model airplanes. He started with control line planes and eventually moved to radio control. Don was a member of River City R/C Club and could be found on the weekends at the club’s flying field with the other members trying out new maneuvers and helping others with issues they were experiencing with their planes. Don started a model airplane supply business in his home to help area fliers obtain parts easily and at a moment’s notice. He enjoyed visiting with other like-minded modelers and assisted newcomers in learning the ropes of the hobby.

Don loved to travel and took his family on their annual camping vacations all across the West and up into Canada. Later as his daughters moved on to their adult lives, he and Bernie loved to spend summers in Estes Park, Colorado. They enjoyed hiking and even backpacked while they were out there. They were also able to travel to Hawaii and to Europe where they experienced the gondolas of Italy and the Alps of Switzerland.

Once Don and Bernie were retired they decided to look for a place in Florida to get away from the Iowa winters and chose the community of Brook to Bay in Englewood. They made many lifelong friends and enjoyed participating in all of the activities the community provided. Don was especially drawn to bocce’ ball. His team competed with other communities in the area and they loved socializing and picnicking with the other teams. He loved having his family come and visit, showing them the beaches and other sites and dining at the best restaurants.

Don was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church and served on the Board of Deacons and the Board of Trustees. When he was no longer able to attend services at Trinity he attended services at Good Shepherd where he and Bernie would sit together to worship.

Don adored his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved when they came to visit and when he was able to attend some of their ballgames, school programs, and other activities. There was always laughter when Don was around and he knew how to keep the little ones entertained.

Don is survived by his daughters, Lynn Fuller and Melanie Nutting; his son-in-law, Tom Merfeld; his grandchildren, Andrew (Alana) Harrington, Joe (Hedi Rasavi) Harrington, Ben Kostka, John (Micki) Kostka, Megan (Rob) Kostka-Dietz, Brianna Cooper, and Shae Nutting; and his great-grandchildren Sydney and Miles Harrington; Noah, Curtis and Emma Kostka; Karlee and JD Kostka; and Ferryn Cooper. He is also survived by his sister, Ruth Baack, his sister-in-law Colleen Wilson, and many nieces and nephews.

Don was preceded in death by his wife, Bernadine; his daughter, Toni Merfeld; son-in-law, David Nutting; his parents; his wife’s parents, Elgie and Ruth Moore; brothers, Walter and Cecil Jr.; sisters, Neola Horn and Dorothy Lavender, sister-in-law Arlene Wright; and brothers-in-law Richard Moore and Glen Moore.

Though his final months of life were lost to dementia he still seemed to recognize his wife, Bernie. He attended church just days before his death and is now made whole by the promises of God.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” John 14:27