NAPERVILLE, Ill. — Donald Paul Modica,

90, passed away Monday, September 18, 2023 in Naperville, Illinois, after a battle with kidney disease.

Don was born the second oldest of seven children born to Ethel and Paul Modica in North Sioux City, S.D., on October 24, 1932. The family lived in the Sioux City area for a few years, then moved to Sioux Falls, S.D., where they made their mark on the town.

Don attended Washington High School and graduated a semester early, then attended refrigeration school before attending the University of Denver. These trade skills came in handy as he would fix local bar refrigeration units in exchange for kegs to be shared with his Sig Ep fraternity brothers!

While at DU, Don met Peggy Barrett and they were married August 23, 1953. Our father served in the United States Marine Corps from March 1953 to December 1954. After being discharged, Don and Peg left San Diego and moved back to Sioux Falls, S.D., where he began a 30-year career at Home Federal Savings & Loan and serving the community. While working at Home Federal, our father completed his MBA at the University of Indiana.

While living in Sioux Falls, Don and Peg made the best of their lives. They were deeply involved with the Shriners, YMCA, YWCA, Jaycees, Westward Ho Country Club, Sioux Vocational School, family and lots and lots of friends. Our parents were always busy in Sioux Falls at events around town or hosting dinner groups, wine club, bridge club or anything else which could get family and friends together! They spent a lot of time with friends at the Westward Ho Country Club, now “The Country Club of Sioux Falls”, where our father was President and served on many board positions. If there was a song that represented our father at Westward Ho, it was “Sharp Dressed Man”! Ian Poulter and Chi Chi Rodriquez had nothing on Don Modica…. Who cannot forget the purple plaid pants and contrasting shirts??

After 30+ years at Home Federal, Don retired and he and Peg moved to Bella Vista, Ark., to start a new chapter in their lives. Together they enjoyed their local church, family, friends, golf, tennis and lots of other hobbies.

Once settled in Bella Vista, Don took up making stained glass. He loved making lamps, light catchers, and many other glass works of art! He was so meticulous in his stained glass, that the bottom side of a lamp looked just as good as the outside. He would spend hours making sure the solder was exceptionally smooth and polished to perfection! There are many people around the United States who have these beautiful glass pieces to remember him each and every day! Our parents loved living in Bella Vista until our mother, Peggy, passed away 13 years ago. Dad was able to muscle through losing the love of his life and learning to clean, do laundry, etc. etc….. And he was able to meet his second true love, Carolyn Bietendorf. They traveled the world, enjoyed friends and crafts!

After dealing with some health issues 31/2 years ago, we were lucky enough to have our father move to Naperville. He was dealing with some serious health issues, but the local doctors were able to get him back on his feet! He lived at the end of our street and we enjoyed weekly family dinners and drinks on the porch! He was loved by all the residents in his apartment complex and even got some of them hooked on Brandy Manhattans.

Don was preceded in death by his mom, Ethel; his dad, Paul; his wife, Peggy; and many beloved dogs, which he had a propensity to name the same and shamefully feed them from his fork at the dinner table!

He is survived by his children, Lynn Modica-Rees (spouse Doug Rees), Scott Modica (spouse Kris Modica); his grandchildren, Stephen Rees, Maddie Rees, Randyll Modica-Ward, Jake Modica, Gabi Modica, Lily Modica; his great-grandchild, Paolo Memphis Ward; his sisters, Jean Brooks, Linda Kraft; his brothers, Darrell Modica and Doug Modica.

In memory of our father, contributions are welcome at St. Patricks Rehabilitation & Residence, 1400 Brookdale Rd., Naperville, Illinois 60563.

The family will not be having a memorial service, but will be spreading his ashes where we spread our mother’s ashes on her family farm in Kimball, Neb. We plan to have a Marine Corps Honor Guard Ceremony while we do this small family event.

Our father will be loved and missed by family, friends, and all the people he touched over his 90 great years! Arrangements by Beidelman-Kunsch Funeral Homes & Crematory. Info www. beidelmankunschfh.com 630355-0264.