Donald C. DeLeeuw

Obituary

Donald Charles DeLeeuw was born on March 29, 1935, to Charles Gerald and Winifred (Osterfeld) DeLeeuw at the Yellow Trail Hotel in Buffalo Lake, Minnesota. He was the second of 7 children growing up in Bird Island, Minnesota, attending St. Mary's and public school while doing his paper route and working at the grocery store. As a young man while roller skating at Ted's Roller rink, in Hutchinson, Minnesota, a young lady picked Don out as the one she was going to marry. He married Burnice Lorraine Larsen of Morgan, Minnesota, at high Noon on June 13, 1953, at the home of the Justice of the Peace in Hutchinson. They were blessed with 5 children: Alan Charles, Suzette Ellen, Thomas Peter, James Harland and JoyAnn Marie.

Don and Burny shared 70 years of marriage living in the states of Nebraska, Kentucky, and Minnesota. He was employed as a cement worker in Nebraska. In October of 1955, Don was inducted into the United States Army, stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky, for 2 years of active duty followed by 4 years of reserve duty ending in 1961, and achieving the rank of SP4. After being honorably discharged in 1957, he was an assistant at the Lakeside Creamery. In 1962, Don became manager at the West Lynn Creamery and in 1965, manager at the Corvuso Creamery. In 1976, he started his own bulk milk route and Feed Supply Store and later joined up with Jason Nelson to haul milk for the bulk patrons in the area. Don then drove truck for Tom Olson hauling sweet corn, peas, and beets. Lastly, he was a substitute bus driver for Dayton Peterson Bus Service of Grove City, Minnesota, for the Cosmos school route.

Don enjoyed his favorite sport of bowling, at times bowling four nights a week and traveling team on the weekends. He made many bowling friends, as he could be found at lanes in Bird Island, Lake Lillian, Stewart, Cosmos, Hutchinson, and Litchfield. He appeared on the television show Bowlerama several times and won a 22-day trip to Europe for 1st place prize. Don was really wanting to win 2nd place because the prize was a boat, motor, and trailer. He also loved to fish, snowmobile, go to auctions, watch ball games in Cosmos, and repair whatever needed fixing. Don served on the Meeker County Planning and Zoning board for 20 years, retiring in 2012. He was a member of the Cosmos American Legion Post 126 for 51 years. Don was a proud Cosmos Lions Club member for 52 years and was honored as Lion of the Year in 2014. He also attended several conventions.

Besides Europe, Don and Burny traveled to New Orleans, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Nashville, and Hawaii. He was known as "Dewey" to family and close friends. Don enjoyed joking around with his children, grandchildren, family and friends. He was a very kind and compassionate man willing to help anyone in need. Don helped many an unfortunate traveler who stopped in Corvuso needing gas or some type of repair or assistance. He was a resident of Corvuso for nearly 59 years. Corvuso won't be the same without him.

Don passed away on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at the age of 89 years, in Boon Lake Township, rural Cosmos, as a result of a car accident. Blessed be his name.

Don is survived by his
Wife, Burnice DeLeeuw of rural Cosmos, MN;
Children, Alan DeLeeuw and his wife, Jane of Hutchinson, MN,
Suzette Peterson and her husband, James of Litchfield, MN,
Thomas DeLeeuw and his wife, Cheryl of Byron, MN,
James DeLeeuw and his wife, Shelley of Cosmos, MN;
14 Grandchildren;
18 Great­Grandchildren;
Brother, Gerald DeLeeuw and his wife, Donna of Hutchinson, MN;
Brother-in-law, John Senkyr of Bird Island, MN;
Sisters-in-law, Gladys Otto of Redwood Falls, MN,
Ardis Larsen of West Allis, WI;
Special friends, Ben and Doreen Hansen of Corvuso, MN;
Many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Don is preceded in death by his Parents, Charles and Winifred DeLeeuw; Father and Mother-in-law, Jens Peter and Luella Mae (Mortenson) Larsen; Daughter, JoyAnn Marie in infancy (1960); Siblings, Marjorie (Robert) Larson, Roger (Mary) Deleeuw, David, Kenneth, and Kathleen Senkyr; Grandson, Jacob John stillborn; Niece, Jessica Senkyr. In-laws: Florence{Don} Diekmeier, Eunice{Joe} Hale, Emmett Otto, Milton Larsen, Vivian (Lloyd) Maude, Wilton Larsen.

The family of Donald DeLeeuw would like to thank everyone for their caring thoughts and prayers in this time of sorrow, also for all the cards and prayers for Mother's recovery.