Donald Davis, 83
Donald Dewayne Davis, 83, died Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at Douglas County Hospital in Alexandria, surrounded by his family.
Donald Dewayne Davis, 83, died Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at Douglas County Hospital in Alexandria, surrounded by his family.
Donald was born March 28, 1928 in Cassopolis, Michigan to Charles Lambert and Beatrice Isabelle (Young) Davis. As a teenager he worked at A&P Grocery and Kroger’s Grocery stocking shelves, Diamond Lakes Bottling Works bottling soft drinks, mowing lawn, Connelly Furniture Store assembling furniture, Three Sister’s Restaurant cooking and washing dishes, and American Coach Company as a forklift operator. Don graduated in 1948 from Sturgis High School in Sturgis, Michigan. He lettered in three sports all four years. He played right-end receiver in football, a forward in basketball, and a pitcher, having threeno hitters in baseball.
After high school, his sister, Thelma, sent him a bus ticket to visit her in Alexandria. From this trip he felt Alexandria was his home and didn’t want to move back to Michigan. He started to work for the Great Lakes Pipe Line Company on July 26, 1948 as a billing clerk. Don worked there for 21 years. He continued playing baseball as a pitcher for the Alexandria Clippers in 1948 and the Alexandria Resorter’s League in 1949.
Don was united in marriage to Estella Bridget Wollschlager on August 26, 1950 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alexandria. To this union the couple was blessed with three children, Michael, Madelyne and Monica. In 1969, Don and Stella started Hillcrest RV Park, which they owned and operated for 37 years.This business was truly his pride and joy and one of his greatest accomplishments. They retired in 2004 And built their retirement home that year, where Don enjoyed his favorite hobbies; working in his shop on woodworking projects and also creating his putting green in their back yard.
Don enjoyed golfing and playing table tennis, which he won the North Dakota State Table Tennis Championship in 1963. Don also enjoyed bowling and serving as league secretary for 15-plus years through many state and local championships. Don and Estelle enjoyed wintering in Rio Grande Valley, Texas and Green Valley, Arizona for many years. He was a member of the Elk’s Club in Grand Forks, ND and Alexandria, MN; and St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alexandria.
He is survived by his loving wife, Estella; son, Michael (Dagmar) Davis of Alexandria; daughters, Madelyne (Charles) Wencl of Alexandria and Monica (Robert) Stanley of Alexandria; grandchildren, Jennifer (Andrew) Windsperger, Laura (Vincent) Kremer, Michelle (fiance, Bobby Singh) Wencl, Michael (Kelly) Wencl, Rusde Stanley, Rob Stanley, and RaeAnne Stanley; great-grandchildren, Dhani Rose Wencl-Singh and Kyle Michael Wencl; brother, Charles E. Davis of Edwardsburg, MI; sister, Thelma R. Gawthrop of Alexandria; and many nieces and nephews.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Beatrice; siblings, Wilma Morse, Evelyn Riffle, Doris Sopher, Elwyn Davis and LaVern Davis.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Friday, October 14 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alexandria with Father Steve Binsfeld officiating. Interment was at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Alexandria. Casket bearers were Andrew Windsperger, Vincent Kremer, Charles Wencl, Michael Wencl, Robert Stanley and Rob Stanley. Honorary casket bearers were Michelle Wencl, Rusde Stanley, Kelly Wencl, Jennifer Windsperger, RaeAnne Stanley, Laura Kremer and Rick Gawthrop.
Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria; www.andersonfuneral.net.
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