Donald O Chase

Don was born in Waterville, Maine on June 30, 1940. He graduated from Madison High School in 1958 and served in the U.S. Navy for three years. He attended William Penn College in Oskaloosa, Iowa where he played football and baseball, and graduated with dual bachelor degrees in physical education and sociology. Don earned a master’s degree in physical education from Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo.

Don married Nelda (Hull) Chase on August 1, 1964, and they settled in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Don taught physical education for 32 years at Holmes Junior High, where he also coached football, basketball, and boys and girls track, and served as the athletic director for 19 years.

He was a devoted husband and protective father who loved coaching football, and he made a positive impact on many of his students. Don had an incredible work ethic, and lived his life fully and with intention. He loved his family, enjoyed his work, maintained life-long friendships, and never backed away from a challenge.

Don and Nelda retired from teaching in 1997 and moved to Madison, Maine to enjoy their summer home on the lake year-round. Don served as the head football coach of Madison High School from 1997 – 1999. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Redington Memorial Home. Don enjoyed boating, “playing in the dirt” with his bulldozer, taking cruises, shooting pool with his buddies, lobster feeds, and he was a passionate Minnesota Vikings and New York Yankees fan.

He is survived by his wife, Nelda, daughter and son-in-law Michelle and Justin Baum of Denver Col.; daughter and son-in-law Lori and Kiffin Deihl of New Prague, Minn.; grandchildren Emma and Maizie Deihl, and Chase and Delaney Baum; and sister, Shirley Brehm of Saratoga, Calif.

He is preceded in death by his parents Leroy and Ida (Beaulieu) and his brother, Lee.

Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, July 9, 2014 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan, Maine.

A funeral service will be held on July 10, 2014 at 10:00 am at the Skowhegan Federated Church, Island Ave., Skowhegan, with the Rev. Mark Tanner officiating. Interment will follow at the Forest Hill Cemetery in Madison.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Don Chase Memorial Scholarship fund at: Cedar Falls Community Schools Foundation, Don Chase Memorial Scholarship, 602 Main Street, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613.

To leave online condolences go to www.smartandedwardsfh.com