Donald Woodke, 78

Donald Herbert Woodke, 78, died peacefully at home September 14, 2009 on the same farm site on which he was born.

Donald was born August 30, 1931 in Swan Lake Township to Herbert and Adela (Koehntop) Woodke. He was baptized October 11, 1931 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Swan Lake Township and confirmed May 20, 1945 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church. He attended District 38 in Swan Lake Township and graduated from The West Central School of Agriculture in 1948.

Donald was united in marriage to Beverly Anderson on June 19, 1954 at Peace Lutheran Church in Morris. They lived on the family farm in Swan Lake Township, where they farmed together and raised a family.

Donald was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Swan Lake Township, then Faith Lutheran Church in Morris, where he served on both church councils. Donald enjoyed raising cattle, working in the fields, watching wildlife and spending time with family.

Donald is survived by two sons, Steven and Molly Woodke of Morris and Loren and Tisha Woodke of Alexandria; daughter, Nancy Woodke and Brian Olson of Morris; two grandsons, Derek and Elysia Woodke of Hoffman and Darin Woodke and Alexis Eineke of Morris; step-granddaughter, Kassandra Knudson of Alexandria; three sisters, Delores and Leslie Bruns of Morris, Marion Buscher of Monticello, and Gladys and Richard Brown of Deer River; two sisters-in-law, Ardelle Rohloff of Morris, Shirley Holman of Donnelly; nieces and nephews, Kathy Ellenbecker, Mark Anderson, Sharon Anderson, Mary Stahn, Colleen Anderson, Calvin Anderson, Gail Hoffman, Kay Hacker, Jan Wagener, Dwaine Bruns, Carol Johnson, Debra Neises, Tom Buscher, Jim Buscher, Michael Brown and Melanie Neveau; and cousins.

Donald was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly; his parents; brothers-in-law, John Buscher, Clayton Anderson and Richard Anderson; parents-in-law, Gustav and Alfreda Anderson; niece, Jeanne Lesmeister; and nephew and godson, Dennis Bruns.

Funeral services were held September 17 at Faith Lutheran Church in Morris with the Rev. Dell Sanderson officiating. Rita Lambert was organist and John Kleinwolterink was soloist.

Burial was at Emmanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Swan Lake Township, rural Morris. Pallbearers were Calvin Anderson, Mark Anderson, Michael Brown, Dwaine Bruns, Daryl Johnson and Ryan Neveau.

To send condolences to the family, visit the website www.pedersenfh.com and click on obituaries.

Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.

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