Memorial
Don “Scoop” Everist, 93, of Cedar Rapids, passed away peacefully on June 15, 2026, with his family by his side.
Visitation will be held Friday, July 10, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Cedar Memorial, in the Chapel State Room. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, July 11, at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 2310 1st Ave NE Cedar Rapids, IA 52402, with visitation beginning at 9 a.m. prior to the 10 a.m. Mass.
Born April 18, 1933, in Williamsburg, Iowa, Scoop was the fourth child of William F. and Eleanor (Jones) Everist. He learned the value of hard work early in life, delivering groceries, carrying a paper route and working at the local roller-skating rink — lessons that stayed with him throughout his life.
After graduating from Williamsburg High School in 1951, Scoop followed the advice of his older brother, Tom, and enlisted in the United States Air Force on Valentine’s Day in 1952. Serving as a dental corpsman at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines introduced Scoop to golf, a good scotch and the dental profession that would become his life’s work. After completing his service in 1956, Scoop made Cedar Rapids his home and began what he jokingly referred to as his career as a “young rookie salesman” with Patterson Dental Supply Company.
Known by the nickname “Scoop,” passed down from his father, he spent the next 57 years earning the trust and friendship of generations of dentists throughout Eastern Iowa. Representing Patterson Dental, HealthCo, Meers and Sullivan-Schein, Scoop became one of the nation’s top sales representatives, but what mattered more to him than any award was the trust he earned — he was a man of his word and always stood behind what he sold.
In the summer of 1959, a blind date introduced Scoop to Patty Mallon, the love of his life. They married at St. Matthew Catholic Church in August 1961 and shared more than six decades together, often gliding across the dance floor whenever Johnny Mathis was playing.
Family was the center of Scoop’s life. He and Patty raised their three children, Peggy, Meg and Doug, in a home where hard work, respect and good manners mattered, but so did laughter and time spent together. He worked hard to provide for his family, but believed that some of life’s greatest moments happened when everyone was simply together. Family vacations included road trips to visit relatives, trips to Florida and Colorado, and summers at the family cabin in Dubuque on the Mississippi River.
Scoop shared a special bond with Patty’s sister, Mary, and the Martin family. Uncle Scoop & Aunt Patty stepped in to help Mary raise her family. Summer vacations were spent boating, water skiing and gathering around beach fires — the kind of times that created memories retold for years to come.
Scoop believed in treating people with respect, keeping his word and doing things the right way. He expected good manners, encouraged his children to take risks and think for themselves, and never stopped believing in them.
One of the greatest examples Scoop set came later in life. After Patty was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, he devoted himself to caring for the woman he still affectionately called his “lovely bride,” quietly honoring the vows they had made more than 60 years earlier with a love that never wavered.
Retirement gave Scoop more time for the simple things that brought him happiness. His flower gardens at Sutherland Square reflected the same care he gave to everything in life, and he spent countless hours in his workshop creating birdhouses, wine cork projects and gifts for family and friends. And rounds of golf with his golfing buddies.
Scoop was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Patty; his brother, Tom; and infant twin siblings.
He is survived by his children, Peggy, Meg (Michael) and Doug (Vanesa), nieces and nephews, countless friends and special neighbors from "The Square" that were like family.
The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the physicians, nurses and staff of Mercy Medical Center’s Intensive Care Unit for their compassionate care, and to the many friends and neighbors at Sutherland Square who looked after Scoop with kindness and, as he would have appreciated, occasionally made sure he behaved.
His family and friends will remember Scoop not only for the life he lived, but for the example he set. His love for family, his steadfast devotion and the countless memories he created will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
In lieu of flowers, donations may made to St. John of the Cross Catholic Worker House
https://givebutter.com/scoop-everist; or St. Matthew Catholic Church.
Livestream of services can be viewed at
https://youtube.com/@st.matthewcr6873?si=ZcuCGTRBDWKVzZmu