Donald "Don" J. Fitch

Donald "Don" J. Fitch, 99 year old resident of Little Falls, MN passed away Friday, February 7, 2025 at the Little Falls Care Center in Little Falls, MN. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, February 14, 2025 at Zion Lutheran Church in Little Falls, MN with Rev. Brandon Johnson officiating. Burial will be held in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Sauk Rapids, MN. Visitation will be held from 4-7 P.M. on Thursday and from 10-11 A.M. on Friday all at Zion Lutheran Church in Little Falls, MN. Caring for Don and his family is the LeMieur Funeral Home in Little Falls, MN. To View Don's Livestream, Please Click Link and You Will Be Directed. https://my.gather.app/remember/donald-fitch-2025 With a heart full of love and a life rich in adventure, Donald (Don) Fitch, born on August 13, 1925, in Randall, Minnesota, completed his earthly journey with peace and grace on February 7, 2025. He leaves behind a legacy of hard work, resilience, and an unshakable love for family, the great outdoors, and the joys of life. The son of James and Clara (Olson) Fitch-Hovland, Don grew up on the family homestead, where he developed his deep appreciation for nature, a strong work ethic, and an adventurous spirit. At just 17, driven by courage and duty, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving honorably in World War II as part of the Combat Division in Europe. Upon returning home, he built his future with determination, attending Dunwoody Institute for Refrigeration. In 1947, Don married the love of his life, Delphine Heitfeld, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sauk Rapids. Together, they created a beautiful, loving family, raising four children: Judy, Michael, Debbie, and Jeff. Their love and partnership extended beyond family, as they built a thriving business, St. Cloud Refrigeration in 1957 and co-founded Mechanical Energy in the following years. It is a successful company that remains family-operated today, a testament to their hard work and dedication. Don and Del were true adventurers at heart. Retirement was just the beginning of another great chapter filled with travel, discovery, and memories. Their motorhome became a vessel for endless road trips, taking them across the country and beyond, gathering stories and friendships along the way. Winters in Arizona brought warmth and relaxation, while summers at their cherished Lake Alexander cabin were filled with joy, family gatherings, and the magic of Minnesota’s great outdoors. An avid outdoorsman, Don found pure happiness in the wild, fishing, hunting, and tending to his beloved hobby farm in Cushing Township. His fishing trips to Canada were legendary, filled with laughter, stories, and the simple pleasure of being surrounded by nature, family, and friends. With his camera in one hand, a Sun-Drop in the other, and a snicker bar in his pocket he would make every adventure one to remember. Though he faced the loss of his beloved Delphine in 2002, Don continued to embrace life with an open heart. He found companionship and love again with Virginia (Ganz) Fitch, with whom he shared more years of traveling, dancing, and cherished moments. Don was welcomed into heaven by those who went before him: his wife, Delphine; his parents, James and Clara; his infant sons, Ronald and Gary; his brothers, Norman, Andy, Richard, and Raymond, and his sisters Mabel, and Patricia. While he is dearly missed, his legacy lives on through his wife, Virginia; his children, Judy (Greg) Thulien, Michael (Barb) Fitch, Debbie (Jon) Myrold, and Jeff (Katrina) Fitch; his adoring grandchildren, Erika (Ben) Rusin, Leslie (Shane) Heffele, Scott (Kelly) Fitch, Chris (Gelavij) Myrold, Mark Fitch, Beth (Jon) Barvels, Erin (Matt) Schiller, Amy (Samson) Myrold, Tarah (Paul) Eck, Hayley (Matt) Grove, Logan Fitch, Sage Fitch, and EllaMae Fitch; as well as his great-grandchildren, and great-great grandson, all who will forever carry his wisdom, humor, and adventurous spirit in their hearts. Don lived a life of love, family, friendships, faith, and boundless adventures. His spirit will forever echo in the laughter of his family, the ripples of his favorite fishing spots, and the stories that will be told for generations.

Tributes

Donald "Don" J. Fitch

August 13, 1925 - February 7, 2025