Obituaries : Owen Douglas "Doug" Amsden

Owen Douglas “Doug” Amsden, 82, passed away Monday, August 5, 2019, at the Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha. 

A graveside service will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 9, 2019, at Maplewood Cemetery in Vinton. Visitation will be held at Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home in Vinton on Friday, August 9, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.

Doug was born April 11, 1937, in Maquoketa, Iowa, the son of William Lyman and Florence Vivian Rosser Amsden. He grew up near Otter Creek in Jackson County, Iowa, then moved to Louisburg, Wisconsin, in 1944. The family then moved to Ryan, Iowa, in 1950, and purchased a farm in 1953.

Doug enlisted in the United States Navy in December of 1954 and worked as a Machinist Mate on the U.S.S. Albany CA-123. His home ports were Norfolk, Virginia, and Boston, Massachusetts. He visited many countries during his service. He was honorably discharged in 1958.

Following his military service, Doug worked with his brother, Harold, in Glacier Park, Montana, as a carpenter’s helper. He also drove a pop truck for Hermon Bottlers; worked at Collins Radio; was a logger in northern Minnesota; worked at Hawk Bilt; and eventually moved to Vinton in 1962. He started his trucking business in 1963, hauling road construction materials. He ran the business until 1975 and took a break, working as a maintenance man at the Vinton Braille School. He returned to his trucking business in 1977 and worked until his death.

In 1964, Doug was united in marriage with Geraldine “Pidge” Daily Blank and, in 1965, their son Shane was born.

Doug loved hunting, fishing and maintaining his truck. In his younger years, he enjoyed dancing, which was where he met his wife, Pidge.

Doug is survived by his wife, Pidge; son, Shane; three children from Pidge’s previous marriage: Jerry, Margaret (Peggy) and Mary Blank; sister, Rheta Runnerstrom; seven nieces and two nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings: Whitney, Russell, Lois, Evelyn, William, Jr., Donald and Harold; and nephew Gary.

Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home of Vinton is caring for Doug and his family. Condolences may be left at vsrfh.com.