Donald Dean Pettera

Friday, February 8, 2013

Donald Dean Pettera

Oct. 29, 1930 - Jan. 28, 2013

MESA, Arizona --Donald Dean Pettera, 82, died Monday, Jan. 28, 2013, in Mesa, at the Villa Hospice.

He was born to Joseph F. and Edith Kompus Pettera Oct. 29, 1930, in Herndon, Kansas. Don attended country grade school and graduated from Herndon High with the class of 1948.

Don married Rose Marie Sattler in 1950 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Herndon. To this union five children were born: D.J. "Toby", Michael, Connie, Joe and Tony. For six years, Don and Rose lived on the Joe Kompus farm, northwest of Herndon. They lived in Colorado for 33 years before moving to Mesa, where they made their home until the time of death.

Don retired from his professional truck driving career in April of 1997. His passion in life was helping those in the Alcoholic Anonymous program by being a sponsor or mentor. He celebrated 43 years of sobriety and leaves behind many friends in the program.

Preceding him in death were his wife, Rose Marie; parents and two sons, Toby and Tony Pettera.

Those remaining to cherish his memory include two sons, Michael and wife, Deanna Pettera and Joe Pettera, all of Mesa; one daughter, Connie James of Thornton, Colorado; seven grandchildren, Michelle, Dominic, Josh, Zac, Travis, Tiffany, and Brittney; twelve great-grandchildren, Gabby, Demetri, Megan, Prestin, Madilyn, Rachel, Emma, Kayla, Savannah, Kalli, Kaden and Logan; one brother, Lester Pettera and wife, Myrna of Loveland, Colorado; one great-aunt, Hattie Toth of Atwood, Kansas and numerous relatives and friends.

A memorial service and rosary will be Thursday, Feb. 28 at St. Mary's Assumption Catholic Church in Herndon at 6:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, March 1 at St. Mary's Assumption Catholic Church at 10 a.m. with burial following at the parish cemetery. Father Nick Parker will officiate.

Memorials may be addressed in his name to Grace Hospice, 2141 E. Broadway Rd Tempe, AZ 85282

Williams Funeral Home of Atwood, Kansas will be in charge of arrangements.