Donald V. Vnuk

Donald V. Vnuk, 89-year-old resident of Little Falls, MN passed away quickly and peacefully Wednesday, January 25, 2017 with family present at the VA Medical Center in St. Cloud, MN. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday, January 31, 2017 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Little Falls, MN with Father Joe Herzing officiating. Burial will be at Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery north of Little Falls, MN. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 PM on Monday and 9 to 10 AM on Tuesday all at the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls. Parish Prayers will be at 7:30 PM. Military Rites will be conducted by the Little Falls American Legion Post #46. Donald enjoyed the simple things in life and greatly appreciated what he had. He loved to joke around and tell stories. His thoughtfulness and ability to make friends followed him throughout his days. His many passions included dancing, fishing, playing cards, growing his own vegetables, working on cars, fixing things and his faith in God. His children, and their spouses and children meant the world to him. He loved doing things for other people and, in his younger days, would be seen snow-blowing many of his neighbors’ driveways, giving fish to the priests at his parish, painting & fixing an assortment of things for family and friends. He was a trophy winning cribbage player and enjoyed spending his retirement days playing cards with friends. He spent happy days fishing with his brother, Leonard, and many other friends and family members. Donald was born in the town of Flensburg on January 3, 1928. In his early years, he worked on his parent’s farm. His strong work ethic was appreciated by all as he helped nearby relatives and neighbors build barns or plow fields when he wasn’t helping his parents. In 1951, he was drafted into the Army and served until 1953. He served in the 90th Engineer Water Supply in Yucca Flats, Nevada and was present during the Atomic Testing in the 1950’s. After his honorable discharge, he moved to the Twin Cities where he worked for the Soo Line Railroad, Cedar Service and Haber Manufacturing. He married Carol Faye Lother on July 16, 1955 and, after more than 30 years of marriage, divorced, but she always remained in his heart. In the early 1960’s he began working for the St. Paul Public Housing Authority, where he was quickly promoted to foreman and ran a maintenance department until his retirement. In 1990, he moved to Little Falls, Minnesota, where he remained until his final months. He will be deeply missed. Donald is preceded in death by his parents; Michael and Stella (Zorn) Vnuk; sisters, Eleanor Ringwelski and Esther Kluender; brothers, Gene Vnuk and Leonard Vnuk. He is survived by his sisters; Margaret Schlichting and Mary Anne Senn; his children, Karen Vnuk, Karla Vnuk-Vogel, Kevin Vnuk and Kent Vnuk; his son-in-laws Denny D. Baker and Wayne Vogel; his daughter-in-laws Kerry (Gaul) Vnuk and Heather (Schmidt) Vnuk, his step-grandson Reese Vanderwilt and step-great-granddaughter Brianne Nerey. Memorials preferred to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 208 Broadway W, Little Falls, MN 56345.

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Donald V. Vnuk

January 3, 1928 - January 25, 2017