Donald Clifford Rees passed away on November 23, 2021, at Pleasant View Nursing Home, Monroe, WI. Born October 17, 1929, on the family farm in Lena, Il, Donald was the third son of Clifford Karl Rees and Julia Gertrude (Schwindel) Rees.  With his brothers Francis and Alfred, Donald worked on the farm from a young age. He spent his first eight years of school at the one-room schoolhouse, the Rees School, located a half-mile up the road. Donald graduated from Lena High School in 1947. Following high school, Donald worked at the State Bank in Freeport until he returned to farming, first as a hired hand on a neighboring farm, and then returning to help on the home place a few months later when his brother Alfred enlisted in the Navy.

Donald married his love, (Dorothy) Ilene Wise on October 10, 1953. Ilene was a surgical nurse, and together they farmed until Donald was drafted into the US Army on January 31, 1955. He did his training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma before shipping out to Okinawa where he was stationed. While in Okinawa, Donald served in an artillery division, where his detail included acting as a surveyor for a M65 280 mm atomic cannon, although in his last six months, he served as a mail clerk. Donald made three life-long friends while in the Army, Hubert Sellers, Lloyd Smith, and Keith Samuelson. They visited together throughout their lives.

When Donald returned from service, he began working at the Citizen State Bank in Lena on March 1, 1957. He worked in the bank for 20 years, first as cashier and ending as a Vice President of the bank. He also served as a bank director for 33 years, from 1967 until 2000. In 1975 Donald obtained his insurance brokers license and wrote for West Point Mutual Fire Insurance Company assisting Emmerson Lobdell. Donald was elected Treasurer in 1961 and served in that office until 1977. Donald left the bank in March 1977 and worked as agent and manager of West Point Mutual Fire Insurance Company until retiring February 1, 2000.

Donald moved to the Rees farm in 1963 and lived there until a few months before he passed away. He and Ilene always had the highest praise for their friend and neighbor Gary Kempel, who farmed on shares with Donald for many years. Donald and Ilene would not have been able to remain on the farm without the help of Gary and Amy Kempel.

Donald is survived by his daughter Susan (John Hofmann), two grandchildren, Aaron and Brent Rees, step-granddaughter Rachel Hoffmann, and step-grandson Erik Weeks. He is also survived by four great-grandchildren, and nieces, nephews, and friends who enjoyed visiting with him on the farm

Donald was preceded in death by his loving wife Ilene in March 2021, and by his son Dennis in March 2003. He was also preceded by his parents, granddaughter Angella, and brothers Francis and Alfred.

Visitation will be Saturday, November 27, 2021, at Leamon Funeral Home, Lena, Illinois from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m. At St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Lena, with internment to follow at St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery.

Donald's family is grateful for the loving and compassionate care he received at Pleasant View Nursing Home, Monroe, WI.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Friends of Pleasant View Foundation, PO Box 733, Monroe, WI  53566-0733 or https://cfsw.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create?funit_id=1219 .