Donald L. Ott, age 87, passed away suddenly on Friday March 2, 2018 at his home. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday March 7 at 10:30 A.M at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Wheatland with Pastor Tessa Cavey officiating. Burial will follow at St. Paul's Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4-7 P.M on Tuesday March 6 at St. Paul's. Don was born on October 19, 1930 to Clarence and Edna (Beckmann) Ott. He attended Wheatland Community Schools, graduating as salutatorian of the Class of 1948, and attended Cornell College and Iowa State University. Don farmed the family Heritage Farm all his life, retiring in 1993. After retiring, he drove school bus for 12 years. Don's greatest interest was in local education serving on the local school board for 12 years, nine of them as president. He also served on the Mississippi Bend Area Education Board for 6 years, several of them as president. While serving on the Wheatland School Board he authored the first Master Contract which was used for many years. After retirement he was the guiding force for the KIDS (Keep Investing in District Schools) initiative that was accepted by a 78% vote. This initiative was used to build two new school buildings in Wheatland and Calamus. On August 2, 1953, Don and Sarah (Ann) Hamilton were married and had five children, all Wheatland graduates. These children are Dale (Deb) of Altoona, Emily (Jerry) Wohler of Sigourney, Clark (Janet) of Elkader; Dean (Donna) of West Dundee, Ill, and Nancy (Al) Phelps of Long Grove. His pride and joy were his 10 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Besides his interest in schools, he did extensive traveling, was an avid reader and enjoyed playing cards. He is survived by his wife and family; a brother, David (Sandy) Ott of Cedar Rapids; and nieces and nephews. Don was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Dorothy Schocker; and granddaughter, Ashley Roma Ott. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Paul's UCC, St. Paul's Cemetery, or a charity of your choice.