Donald R. Huwe,
A resident of Prior Lake, Donald Richard Huwe, age 82, was welcomed into the arms of his Lord, Monday, December 15, 2014, with his loving family at his bedside at St. Gertrude’s Health Care and Rehabilitation Center. A Celebration of Life Service will be on Friday, December 19 at 11 am, with visitation starting at 9:30 am, all at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church 5634 Luther Road SE, Prior Lake, MN. The Reverend John P. Vaughn will preside. Pall bearers will be Christopher McGraw, Johnathon Thielen, Timothy Huwe, Khristopher Huwe, Ben Schamber, and Nate Kick. Don will be laid to rest next to his wife at St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery, Prior Lake, MN. Full military honors provided by the Prior Lake V.F.W. Post 6208 Honor Guard.
On May 24, 1932, in Garfield, MN, Don was born to parents, Louis and Elda (Zimmerman) Huwe. Growing up on the family farm in Leaf Valley, during the depression era, meant tough time and lots of hard work. Don spent countless hours working the fields with the horses and tending to the animals. But he and his siblings still found plenty of time to get into mischief. At the age of 13, Don’s mom passed away. Through difficult times he persevered. An intelligent young man, Don completed his high school education in the Alexandria, MN.
Despite his father’s wishes, Don enlisted in the United States Army, as a cost accountant. While stationed in Germany, he met the love of his life, Maria Boos. On November 17, 1956 in Augsburg, Germany, they married. Returning from the military, Don and Maria were blessed with two beautiful girls, Susan and Michelle. As a family, they enjoyed weekends at the family farm hunting and fishing and relished the annual Fourth of July family reunion. Don treasured duck hunting with Susan and playing basketball with Michelle in the driveway. They enjoyed swimming, golfing and spending time with their Saint Bernard’s. As a couple, Don and Maria loved vacationing in Mexico.
Receiving a Senior Accountant degree in 1959, from St. Cloud State, Don spent most of his career as the business manager for Minneapolis Medical Research Foundation. After retiring, he acquired a real-estate license and worked side by side with his wife. A devoted and longtime active member of the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Don was also a member of the American Legion. He enjoyed listening to polka music and was an exceptional cook.
One of Don’s greatest joys was that of a grandfather. He relished teaching them how to fish and taking them to the zoo. As they all grew older, Don was proud of Christopher finding his true love and was heartbroken when he could not attend their wedding in August. Johnathon made him proud by following in his farming footsteps. From the moment Kristine was born, she was always the light of his life.
On October 29, 2004, Maria, wife of 48 years, passed away. Don stopped singing, something he so enjoyed and now focused on his life that was forever changed. In January of 2006, Don suffered a stroke and later years was diagnosed with dementia. He spent most of his time at St. Gertrude’s Health Care and Rehabilitation Center. Over the years, Don received exceptional care and love from the staff, which the family is grateful for their kindness and dedication.
Left to honor Don’s life and mourn his death are daughters, Susan (Dan) McGraw, Michelle (Dan) Thielen; grandchildren, Christopher (Anya) McGraw, Johnathon (Tara) Thielen, Kristine Thielen; great-grandchildren, Payton Thielen, Gemma Thielen; sisters, Dolores Schulz, Mary Wayne Dahl, Ann Louise (JB) Olmstead: brother-in-law, George (Virginia) Ketter; sister-in-law, Mary Alice Huwe: other loving relatives and devoted friends.
Preceded in death and there to welcome Don home in heaven is his wife, Maria; mother, Elda Huwe; father, Louis (Mildred) Huwe; sisters, Arlene (Norman) Schamber, Dorothy Ketter, Carolyn (Milton) Gumm; brothers, Lewis “Bud” Huwe, Winston Darkow; brother-in-law, Melvin Schulz.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home and Cremation, Prior Lake Chapel, proudly served the Huwe family. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
