Donald Paul Woodin, the son of Jesse P. and Mable (Resh) Woodin, was born December 21, 1930, in Red Oak, Iowa. He passed away on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at the Red Oak Rehab and Care Center, Red Oak, Iowa, at the age of 94 years, 8 months, and 16 days.

As a child, Donald developed a love for animals. He attended school in Essex, Iowa, by riding a Shetland pony two miles to school. After a number of years, he upgraded in size to a quarter horse. In 4-H, Donald began showing hogs, cattle, and rabbits, becoming the very first person to show rabbits at the Page County Fair. He continued showing rabbits for many years, even in the open class. Donald began farming in 1942 and remained on that same farm all of his life. He later entered the U.S. Marine Corps. In 1980, Donald attended a miniature horse show in South Dakota. He brought home two ponies, and the next year added two more. Before long, Donald had broken a pair to drive, and proudly drove them in countless parades, including three different parades on a single day, on a Fourth of July. In 1982, after watching the miniature horse show at the Iowa State Fair, Donald declared that his horses were just as good. For the next 38 years, and through 2020, he showed his miniature horses at the Iowa State Fair, raising and selling many champions along the way. Throughout his life, Donald raised 18 different kinds of animals, from horses to hamsters. Donald also judged numerous rabbit and poultry shows, but his talents did not stop with animals. He was also an excellent woodcarver, creating pieces that reflected the same patience and skill he brought to farming and animal husbandry. You could truly say, Donald enjoyed a lifelong love of animals, and he shared that passion with his community in countless ways.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Mary Blackburn and her husband Richard, and niece, Diane Briggs and her husband Ted.

Donald is survived by two nephews, Rick Blackburn of Red Oak, IA, and Terry (Karen) Blackburn of Lincoln, NE; and niece, Cheryl (Scott) Marsden of Papillion, NE; other relatives and friends.

May God bless his memory and give strength to those who mourn.

A memorial graveside service with military rites will be held Friday, September 26, 2025 at 1:00 p.m., Evergreen Cemetery, Red Oak, Iowa

Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home is in charge of Donald's arrangements and serving his family.