Donald Dale Dammann

Obituary

Donald Dale Dammann was born on November 18, 1935, in Bergen Township, McLeod County, Minnesota.  He was the son of Theodore and Lydia (Wilkens) Dammann.  Donald was baptized as an infant on December 8, 1935, and later confirmed in his faith on April 10, 1949, both by Rev. Alfred Streufert and at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Glencoe, Minnesota. He received his education in Glencoe and was a graduate of the Glencoe High School Class of 1953.

On September 20, 1958, Donald was united in marriage to Darlene Erna Hermerding by Pastor Gerhard C. Michael at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake. Three days later Donald left for basic training as he was drafted into the United States Army. Darlene joined him in Alexandria, Virginia for six months. They relocated to Bernhausen, Germany, where Donald and Darlene were blessed with the birth of their daughter Pamela. Upon completion of his military service in Germany, Donald and Darlene moved to the family farm in rural Glencoe. Their marriage was blessed with 3 daughters, Pamela, Jodi, and Susan. They enjoyed spending time with their children and grandchildren at their cabin on Lake Sylvia in South Haven, Minnesota where they lived for a few years. They later moved back to Glencoe and built a home in town alongside a farm field and had the best of both worlds.  Donald and Darlene shared over 62 years of marriage together until Darlene passed away on July 9, 2021.

Donald was a loyal Ford man, he owned a ‘58 Ford hardtop retractable convertible and enjoyed cruising down main street with Darlene at his side. Rumor was that it was one of his ways to win Darlene over and make the competition disappear.  Donald worked on his farm as well as being an Automobile Parts Manager at Glencoe Motors and later at Holt Motors in Cokato.  He owned Ford cars, trucks, tractors, and a motorhome.           

Donald enjoyed driving cars, traveling, hunting deer, and waterskiing.  Donald and Darlene went on trips to Puerto Rico, Portugal, Hawaii, and Lake Havasu house boating. They instilled their love of travel in Pam, Jodi, and Susan with vacations to places like Brainerd, Black Hills, Glacier National Park, and Banff, Canada.  In retirement, they took motor home excursions and visited family and friends year-round.      

Donald passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at Grand Meadows Senior Living in Glencoe, at the age of 88 years, 9 months, and 17 days. Blessed be his memory.

Donald is survived by his:
Daughters, Pam Powell and her husband, Curt, of Andover, MN,
                  Jodi Gustafson and her husband, Mylo, of Maple Grove, MN,
                  Sue Titus and her husband, Joel, of Rochester, MN;
Grandchildren, Sarah Seek and her husband, Jeremy, of Ramsey, MN,
                         Andrea Novitsky of Andover, MN,
                         Andrew Rushing and his wife, Kelly, of Bloomington, MN,
                         Elizabeth Rushing and her husband, Aaron Muesch, of Madison, WI,
                         Alex Rushing and his wife, Samantha, of Alexandria, MN,
                         Jacob Titus and his wife, Ally, of Rapid City, SD,
                         Tayler Titus and her fiancé, Cody Allen, of American Fork, UT;
Great-Grandchildren, Emma Powell-Muntean, Alice Seek, Thomas Seek, Lucas Novitsky, Toren Novitsky, Raelynn Novitsky, Gavyn Rushing, Briar Rushing, and Eira Rushing;
Sister, Marlys Jungclaus of Glencoe, MN,
Nieces, Nephews, Other relatives, and Many friends.

Donald was preceded in death by his Father and Mother, Theodore and Lydia Dammann; Father-in-law and Mother-in-law, Walter and Mathilda Hermerding; Brothers-in-law and Sisters-in-law, Veryl Jungclaus, Delores Dehnbostel and her husband, Walter, Leland Hermerding and his wife, Janice, and his second wife, Cathy Branen, John Hermerding and his wife, Mabel, Walter Hermerding, Jr. and his wife, Carolyn, Donald Hermerding and his wife, Phyllis; Great-Granddaughter, Everlee Seek.

A heartfelt thank you to the staff at his Grand Meadows home, Michele Schuberg, CNP, and Ridgeview Hospice for their understanding, advocacy, caring and compassionate services.