Ivan Leonard Donnay

Obituary

Ivan Leonard Donnay was born on October 22, 1916, in Outlook, Montana.  He was the son of Leonard and Bertha (Kelm) Donnay.  Ivan was baptized as an infant on October 29, 1916, by Rev. Febrauer in Outlook, Montana, and was later confirmed in his faith as a youth on June 22, 1930, by Rev. Kolbe at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Glencoe, Minnesota.  He received his education in Glencoe, Minnesota.  Ivan Donnay enter active military service in the United States Army at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, on September 11, 1941. After training as a cook, he was assigned to Company L, 160^th Infantry Regiment and fought in the Pacific Theater during World War II seeing action throughout the Pacific including battles on the Bismarck Archipelago, the South Philippines and on the Island of Luzon which earned him the Combat Infantryman Badge in addition to multiple campaign medals. He was honorably discharged as a Technician 5^th Class at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin, on October 1, 1945.

On May 6, 1949, Ivan was united in marriage to Wyla Raether at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Lester Prairie, Minnesota.  Ivan and Wyla made their home in Glencoe, Annandale and Darwin, Minnesota.  Their marriage was blessed with two children, Marilyn and Gloria.  Ivan and Wyla shared over 36 years of marriage until Wyla passed away on March 14, 1986.  On June 19, 1987, Ivan was united in marriage to Alice Wentzlaff Schauer by Rev. Kath at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Glencoe, Minnesota.  Ivan and Alice lived in Darwin and Silver Lake, Minnesota.  Ivan welcomed Alice’s six children, LuAnn, Roger, Beverly, Steve, Cheryl and Dean to the family.  Ivan and Alice shared over 28 years of marriage.

Ivan was a farmer and later worked at Stearnswood Inc. in Hutchinson, Poly Foam Inc. in Lester Prairie, was a janitor at Silver Lake High School in Silver Lake, and was a caretaker for Doc Erickson in Annandale.  Ivan was a past member of Zion Lutheran Church in Annandale.  He also served on the Rich Valley Township board.

Ivan enjoyed fishing, deer hunting, playing cards, traveling, watching football, fixing anything and carpentry.  He loved to tell jokes to anyone he’d meet.  Ivan cherished the time spent with his family and friends.

Ivan passed away on Monday, November 30, 2015, at his daughter’s home in Hutchinson, Minnesota, at the age of 99 years, 1 month and 8 days.

Blessed be his memory.

Ivan is survived by his:
Wife, Alice Donnay of Glencoe, MN;
Children, Marilyn Field and her husband, Ron, of Hutchinson, MN,
Gloria Ristesund and her husband, Todd, of Sioux Falls, SD;
Step-Children, LuAnn Schmidt and her husband, Roger, of Glencoe, MN,
Roger Schauer and his wife, Lisa, of Glencoe, MN,
Beverly Rolf and her husband, Jeff, of Cologne, MN,
Steve Schauer and his wife, Patsy, of Glencoe, MN,
Cheryl Nordin and her husband, Bret, of Winsted, MN,
Dean Schauer and his wife, Carol, of Mondovi, WI;
Grandchildren, Jeremy Field and his wife, Robyn, of Hutchinson, MN,
Adam Field of Hutchinson, MN;
Great-Grandchildren, Austin Field & Alex Schutz;
21 Step Grandchildren;
30 Step Great Grandchildren;
1 Step Great-Great Grandchild;
Brother-In-Law & Sisters-In-Law, Ethel Donnay of Glencoe, MN,
Luella Dahlke of Glencoe, MN,
Marvin Wentzlaff and his wife, Verona, of Arlington, MN,
Marian Wendorff of St. Cloud, MN;
Nephews, Nieces, Other relatives and many friends.

Ivan is preceded in death by his Parents, Leonard and Bertha Donnay; First Wife, Wyla Donnay; Siblings, Leona Witthus and her husband, Elmer, Iva Wiehle and her husband, Clifford, Luverna Bruckschen and her husband, Ray, Elmer Donnay.