Donald D. Avenson (September 16, 1944 – May 19, 2017) was an American politician in the state of Iowa.

On August 1, 1964, he married Diane Mary Duda and the couple had three children.

Avenson attended the University of Wisconsin–River Falls, receiving his bachelor's degree in political science and history in 1970, and completed his graduate studies in history at the University of Northern Iowa.

[1] He unsuccessfully ran for governor in 1990, losing to Terry Branstad.

[3][4] Avenson died in Great Plains Medical Center in North Platte, Nebraska on May 19, 2017, from a heart attack.