Donald Royster

Donald Gene Royster, 90, of rural Duncombe, passed away peacefully at his home on August 20, 2026. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, August 28, 2026 at Foster Funeral & Cremation Center in Webster City. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at the funeral home with Rev. Craig Blaufuss officiating. Burial will be in the Colfax Cemetery, south of Vincent. Memorials may be directed to Don’s family.

He was born on July 24, 1936, to Floyd and Doris (Kuesterer) Royster in Fort Dodge. He graduated from Fort Dodge High School in 1954 and attended Iowa Central Community College for one year, studying liberal arts. Don earned his living through farming and trucking. His love of trucks and hard work began at a young age. He started driving a grain truck when he was just 14 years old and purchased his first truck at age 17. He hauled sewer pipe and eventually spent many years selling seed corn. Over the years, Don milked cows, raised hogs, farmed, ran a baler, and took on whatever work needed to be done. Don and his father also ran the Standard All-Around Truck Stop in Fort Dodge for several years.

Don later started his own trucking company, Royster Trucking, and built an office and truck shop. This was one of his proud accomplishments. He was a hardworking man who was always doing more than one job and seemed to require very little sleep. He was happiest when he was busy and getting something done.

He also had a fun and adventurous side. When he was younger, he took tap dancing lessons for three years – something many people may not have known about him. He also loved cars. At age 16, he purchased his first car, a 1949 dark green Pontiac. A few years later, he bought a 1953 two-tone gray Oldsmobile with red leather seats, which became his favorite car.

On January 4, 1988, he married Alice Gene Symens in Webster City. Together, they built a life filled with family, hard work, and many cherished memories.

Don was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He especially enjoyed farming, trucking, playing cards with friends, and any chance he got to visit a casino. He will be remembered for his honesty, strong work ethic, wonderful sense of humor, and generosity toward others. He was a member of the South Enes Lutheran Church in Vincent and also attended the First Congregational U.C.C. in Webster City with Gene.

Some of Don’s favorite memories were made during summer days spent boating with the card club families, gathering for picnics, and weekends in Clear Lake. He enjoyed meeting people, making lifelong friendships, and sharing many wonderful stories with those he met along the way.

He is survived by his wife, Gene; his children, Terri McMahon (Terry) of Tavares, Florida; Kathy Ticknor (Rich) of Adel, Iowa; and Mike Royster (Stacie) of Fort Dodge, Iowa; and his stepchildren, Mike Symens (Angelia) of Duncombe, Iowa; Cheryl Symens (Tim) of Urbandale, Iowa. Sister-in-law, Carol Royster of Bettendorf, Iowa. He was blessed with 12 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren, who brought him great joy and many cherished memories.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Doris Royster; his brother, Dennis Royster; and his sister, Mary Jo.