In Memory of Douglas Mark Wheeler

Douglas Mark Wheeler, age 62, of Ida Grove, Iowa, passed away on Friday, May 2, 2025, surrounded by his family at the Mitchell House of Sioux City, Iowa.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, May 9, 2025, at the Ida Grove Skate Palace in Ida Grove, Iowa. Pastor Betty Kiboko will officiate. Committal Services will take place at a later date in the Montrose Cemetery in Montrose, South Dakota.

A Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, May 8, 2025, at the Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa.

In remembrance of Doug, please wear blue and gold or SDSU attire “Go Jack Rabbits” to funeral services on Friday, May 9, 2025.

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Douglas “Doug” Mark Wheeler, the son of Daniel and Martha (Beckman) Wheeler, was born on August 6, 1962, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He received his education from Rutland South Dakota High School graduating with the class of 1980.

After graduation, Doug continued his education attending the School of Mines in Rapid City, SD for electrical engineering. After a year Doug transferred to South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD, where he obtained his Bachelors of Science in Education in 1985, majoring in physics, and double minoring in math and psychology. He later went onto earned his Master’s Degree in Computer Science Technology through Morningside University in Sioux City, IA.

Doug lost his mom Martha at 3 months old. He lived with his grandparents until he was 6 years old and then was taken in by his Great Aunt Eve and Great Uncle John where he was raised and gained five brothers: Tim, Pete, Mark, Scott, and Chris; and one sister Cindy.

On July 23, 1988, Doug decided it was a good idea to marry the love of his life Patricia (Patty) Muth. The couple were blessed with three children: Austin, Brianna, and Seth.

Doug started his teaching career fresh out of college in 1985, landing a job as a high school science teacher in the Battle Creek Public School in Battle Creek, IA. When Battle Creek and Ida Grove consolidated into BCIG in 1994, Doug began teaching Chemistry and Physics. He later transitioned to the technology coordinator for BCIG now known as OABCIG until his illness in 2013. During his teaching career, Doug also coached girls’ basketball and volleyball, ran track stats at the track meets, and helped with the Herb Irgens Wrestling Tournament.

 A devoted member of the United Methodist Church, Doug was active in United Methodist Men, Lay Ministry, fairgrounds fundraiser committee, and was active in many other projects within the church. Doug’s favorite activity was the Valentines Day supper. He loved cooking for everyone and enjoyed listing to Christian bands.

Doug’s favorite hobbies were: creating CD’s and DVD’s of school plays, creating church programs, paper programs, taking photos, editing photos, and using photoshop to make thing into fun items which he would do all for a 12 pack of Mt. Dew. He also enjoyed hacking into student’s computers to get a good laugh, and attending all school events. Doug’s other passion was hosting his baseball league draft, he loved baseball and the expos. Doug also enjoyed going out to eat. Everyone knew him as a regular and hearing one of his impeccable dad jokes would make everyone smile.

Survivors include his loving wife Patty Wheeler of Ida Grove, IA; children: Austin (Melanie) Wheeler of Sioux Falls, SD, Brianna (David) Henderson of Fordyce, NE, and Seth Wheeler of Ida Grove, IA; one grandson Chip Henderson, and one on the way due in September; brothers: Peter Gustaf, Mark (Kitty) Gustaf, Scott (Lori) Gustaf, and Chris (Shawn) Gustaf; sister Cindy (Ernie) Christensen; half-brother Danny Wheeler; brother-In-law Jim Muth; sister-In-law Sandy Zajic; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Doug was preceded in death by his parents Daniel and Martha Wheeler and bonus parents Eve and John Gustaf; in-laws Mearl and Rosanna Muth; brother Tim Gustaf; and brother-in-law Donald Muth.