To Don's family,

I am so sorry to here of your fathers passing. I will always remember him with a smile.

He was a good neighbor to my parents Louis and June Cox.

I hope your memories will help your family through this unhappy time.

Linda

I volunteered at the Farm Aid Clinic as a law student from 1985 to 1988. Don worked with us law students and JoAnne Neuzil to see that every farmer knew their rights under the law when the lenders started collection and foreclosure proceedings. He was a calm steady voice in the clinic, which was greatly needed by the farm families facing the prospect of losing everything. He made a tremendous difference in the lives of the farmers who came to the clinic.

Don also went with me to the Law School at Christmas 1987 as an advocate when I protested the school's plan to remove the Christmas tree from the student lounge and to cease serving pork. Don did a great job of keeping me from being suspended or disciplined for my protest.

Don was the right man at the right place at the right time for a lot of people.

I have great memories of visiting Iowa City and the family farm. My cousins, animals, beautiful vegetables, and most vividly my Uncle Don standing up, tall as he would drive the big red tractor, down the road. I would hear it coming, run out and hopefully see him as he pulled the big machine in the driveway. I knew that I could get a closer look and maybe touch a pig if he was there by my side. I remember Uncle Don, my Dad and my Grandpa gathered round the kitchen table, and because my Grandpa was hard of hearing they would all speak so loud, almost yelling as they talked. It was a little scary and quite a sight! I was not sure what was going on, because often they would all laugh and smile during these exchanges. It felt so much better when I figured it out.

My Uncle Don is alive and well in my memories and will always be.

To Linda and Jackie

My men wanted me to let you both know that they met your father through me and enjoyed his whimsical personality. They remember when Don use to bring Mayme out to our home in North Liberty when I was ill. They also remember the tomatoes from the garden and the Christmas that your folks came out with a Ham to deliver to us so that we could have it for dinner. Always so very thoughtful: guess that's where you ladies get your big hearts from. Thank you from myself for having such wonderful folks. We all will miss that laugh of Donald's. May he Rest in Peace.

I met Don when I started taking care of Mayme. He started out being the rough & gruff Mr. Kerf and ended up being one of the best friends ever. I lost touch with Donald after I moved to Cedar Rapids, and have missed the family so much. I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family. I knew Linda and Jackie the best of the kids and I want you ladies to know you are in my prayers as is the whole family. Stay strong in faith and prayer.

Linda my heart goes out to you and your family. Sending prayers.

Don was a good and faithful friend to all who knew him and will be greatly missed. Goodbye old friend, may we meet in Heaven to continue the good fight. Rest easy and be at peace. May God bless.

I met your Dad one day when he called to say that he had extra tomatoes and if I needed them for Free Lunch I could come out and pick some. The guests at Free Lunch enjoyed your Dad's tomatoes for several years and always were so excited to see them on the table-they were delicious and a real treat for the guests. I saw him often at Sunday mass and will miss saying hi, talking to him for a bit and shaking his hand at the Sign of Peace.

We are so sorry to hear that Don died -- a great neighbor, period. We are traveling and will miss his sendoff.

Sending love a prayers to all my cousins. I have wonderful memories of your father. He was a gentle giant to me. I believe we will all meet again and he is already with your Mom and his parents and baby brother. Rest in peace Uncle Don, Julie

Larry and Dan-you probably won't remember me, but I do both of you. I knew you both in the early 70's, Dan, you used to be a neighbor in the next apartment building in Coralville, in fact you were in Denis and I's wedding. Larry, to me you look like your dad. I meet your dad once, a very nice gentleman.

Thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.

Don was a very special person. Although I have not seen him a lot in the recent years he has not been far from my thoughts. He was known for raising tomatoes which he loved to share and I was always thankful for that. He was such an interesting man to talk to. He loved to share stories and had so much knowledge it amazed me.

He will forever be in my heart.

Keeping all of his family in my thoughts and know that he is watching over all of us.

Doralee Davis

While I did not know Don personally that well, I did know him from attending 8am mass with him at St Wenceslaus, he always sat a couple of rows ahead of my children and I. I also got to visit with him one time at a funeral for another friend (Phyllis Roskup) back in 2006 and he was very nice to talk with. My kids always enjoyed going up to him and shaking his hand during the time for sharing peace at mass.

He sounds like he was an incredible, son, husband, brother, uncle, father, grandfather and friend. We will miss seeing him in church! Prayers going out to his family and friends.

To the Donald Kerf family,

I knew Don from the Iowa City freedom meetings. We all sought & seek freedom from an oppressive governing body. Seems Don has found his relief.

Don Kerf probably saved my life. I was affected with Sadds, the seasonal light disorder. I went to the VA, A Christian Psycatrist, ect with out any help, and for 35 years had depression in the winter. Don said I should try vitimine D3. I did, but just the minimum amount the first winter. I now take the largest dose I can, and thanks to Don I have had three depressionless winters.

Don always was there for anyone standing up for justice in the court room., many times we traveled to Marengo to give support to a fellow Patriot. Don always was there to support anyone in need.

Don also shared with me his recipe for his organic fertilizer he used on his tomatoes. Don amazed me how he grew tomatoes on the same spot for 20 years.

I will fondly remember the many times we traveled together for ISEC meetings, and enjoyed lunch together. I am proud to have been a friend of Don Kerf, a fellow Christian. Don I know you are at peace, but will be missed by the many people you have helped. Blessing to all, John Wiese

My Brother Don was always my "Big Brother" since he was about 4" taller and a little more than five years older. He taught me lots of things like most older brothers do. He had his first car, a 1929 Model A Ford, to drive to City High. He was then 14 and I was 8 but he taught me how to drive it. He enjoyed being the co-pilot and driving instructor. I will always remember when he took me to see the bigger and older guys in the Varsity Football locker room after a game. I got to shake hands with Corky Fryhauf and Jim Sangster among others.

My brother in Christ Don Kerf, told me a lot of stories. Actually I rode to Des Moines and back with Don one time and he told amazing stories all the way there and back, hardly pausing between episodes! One story that really cut to Don's heart was when he was doing some sort of work at the U of I facility for young women and "opened the dumpster, only to find a fully developed beautiful dead baby girl, aborted and thrown out, as if a piece of garbage". Perhaps this event was the stimulus for all of Don's untiring work for Life. Don inspired me in so many ways and we will miss Don leading us Knights, praying the Holy Rosary with fervor! May God speed you on, brother.

Missing you more with each passing minute!