Kenneth William Donnay

Obituary

Kenneth William Donnay was born on September 3, 1931, in Glencoe, Minnesota. He was the son of Godfrey and Frances (Harpel) Donnay. Kenneth was baptized as an infant on September 13, 1931, and later was confirmed in his faith on May 9, 1943, and Solemn Communion both at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Glencoe, Minnesota. He received his education at St. Peter and Paul Catholic School for grades 1-8 and then attended Glencoe High School graduating with the Class of 1949. Kenneth worked at Harpel’s as a bookkeeper. He entered active military service in the United States Army on March 27, 1952, and was stationed at Arlington Hall Station in Virginia during the Korean Conflict. Kenneth received an Honorable Discharge on March 26, 1954.

On September 15, 1953, Kenneth was united in marriage to Gladys Kostecka at St. George Catholic Church in Glencoe, Minnesota. Kenneth and Gladys made their home on a farm in Glencoe and then in 1988 moved into town. Their marriage was blessed with seven children, Diana, Bruce, Ronald, Lois, David, Infant Daughter and James. Kenneth and Gladys shared over 64 years of marriage together.

Kenneth was a dairy farmer for 35 years. In 1988, he started working for the City of Glencoe in the Parks Department, retiring in 1996. Kenneth then worked for Haukos Brothers from 2000-2006. Kenneth was a faithful member at Church of St. Pius X in Glencoe where he ushered, counted money, sang in the church choir over 30 years, was an officer for Home and School, officer of the Knights of Columbus, chairman of the Catholic Cemetery board, secretary for the Catholic Financial Aid for 20 years, served on the St. Pius Finance board and officer of St. Joseph Men’s Club. He also was the local chairman for Citizens for Educational Freedom, board member for 8 years for Glencoe Butter & Produce, served on the McLeod County Planning Commission for 6 years, the Helen Township board for 5 years, the Glencoe Public School Finance advisory committee, Glencoe Public School Agriculture advisory committee, Chairman of the McLeod County American Dairy Association, board member of the Minnesota American Dairy Association for 5 years and 4-H Project Leader for 10 years. Kenneth and Gladys received McLeod County farm Family Award in 1983.

Kenneth enjoyed working, dancing, bowling, fast pitch softball, card club, and faithful follower of his grandchildren’s sporting events. He cherished the time spent with his family and friends.

Kenneth's health care needs increased and he entered Long Term Care on May 30, 2015. Kenneth passed away on Friday, March 2, 2018, at the Glencoe Regional Health Services Long Term Care in Glencoe, Minnesota, at the age of 86 years, 5 months and 27 days.

Blessed be his memory.

Kenneth is survived by his: Wife, Gladys Donnay of Glencoe, MN;
Children, Diana Nelson of New London, MN,
Bruce Donnay and his wife, Linda, of Glencoe, MN,
Ronald Donnay and his wife, Debra, of Glencoe, MN,
Lois Tritz and her husband, Terry, of Glencoe, MN, David Donnay and his wife, Colleen, of Norwood Young America, MN,
James Donnay and his wife, Laura, of Glencoe, MN;

Grandchildren, Christopher Nelson and his wife, Kelly, Trisha Terning and her husband, Shawn, Megan Palmquist and her husband, Brian, Tyler Donnay, Brian Donnay and his wife, Tara, Lisa Bosley and her husband, Jason, Laura Lindeman and her husband, Tony, Andrew Tritz and his wife, Katie, Nicholas Tritz and his wife, Amanda, Andrea Donnay, Rachel Ruzicka and her husband, Jon, Phillip Donnay, James Carlson and his special friend, Ashley Kuphal, Michael Donnay, Aaron Donnay;

21 Great Grandchildren; Sister-In-Law, Delores Donnay of Glencoe, MN;
Nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his Parents, Godfrey and Frances Donnay; Infant Daughter; Infant Grandson; Son-In-Law, Dave Nelson; Brother, LeRoy Donnay.