Donald R. Mills

Donald R. Mills, 77, of Mason City passed away on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center, 40 years to the date of his father in-law. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 13, 2026, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N Pennsylvania Ave. Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at Major Erickson Funeral Home. Burial will be held in Memorial Park Cemetery. Military Honors will be conducted by the Mason City Veterans Association. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the family of Don Mills. 

To watch Donald's memorial service live, click here: Memorial Service of Donald Mills.

Donald Ray Mills was born on November 13, 1948, in Taylor, Arkansas, to parents Lurline (Walker) and Spurgeon Mills. He graduated from Genoa Central High School in 1966 in Texarkana, AR.

After graduating, Don enlisted in the United States Army, and faithfully served his country beginning in May 1968, landing in Vietnam on his 21st birthday. Don was honorably discharged in September 1969, receiving a Purple Heart.

Don met the love of his life, Carol Willemsen, in September 1975, and the couple were wed on September 29, 1978, at First United Methodist Church in Mason City.

Don was employed as an over the road trucker for several years. He began his career at Yohn Co., and then eventually retired there. In his free time, Don enjoyed fishing, NASCAR races, and traveling to Arkansas to visit family.

Don is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Carol Mills; brother, David (Karla) Coleman; aunt, Judy Bryant; sisters-in-law, Doris (Mike) Colombo, Sharon Willemsen, and Laura Ressler; brother-in-law, Gary (Joanne); extended family members, Chuck (Linda) Hackleman and Larry Kollman; and several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and great-great nieces and great-great nephews.

Don was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Richard and Ozie Mills; his maternal grandparents, Jody Perry and Beatrice Walker; parents, Spurgeon (Martha) Mills and Lurline (Ray) Coleman; in-laws, Wayne and Ila Willemsen; sisters, Patricia Mays and Francis Booth; aunt, Rita Vallery; aunt and uncle, Coy and Alice Bryant; and brother-in-law, Jerry Kollman.