On Sunday afternoon, March 18, 2018, Donald W. Undesser, age 92, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family, at St. Gertrude’s Health and Rehabilitation Center, Shakopee, MN. He was a life-long resident of Jordan, MN.
A time of gathering will be held on Friday, March 23, from 4-7 pm, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, 104 West First Street, Jordan, and one hour prior to the Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, March 24, at 11 am, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 210 North Broadway, Jordan. Father Timothy Yanta will preside, with Donald’s grandchildren acting as urn bearers, gift bearers and eulogist. He will be laid to rest at St. John Calvary Cemetery, with military honors provided by the Jordan Vets Honor Guard and the U.S. Navy Honor Guard.
Donald William was born on January 15, 1926, at the home of his parents, John Henry and Ann (Walerius) Undesser, in Jordan, MN. By the age of 3 ½, Donald had already lost an older infant brother, Leroy and his father to tuberculosis. Donald’s mom remarried a local widower, Nick Stang and gained two siblings, Florian and Anita. He was a young energetic entrepreneur, as a paper boy, stain spotter at the dry cleaners, delivered ice and freight. Donald also had a hidden talent for fixing clocks, especially the St. John’s Church clock. He attended St John’s Parochial School, through the eighth grade. Donald also attended Jordan High School, through his sophomore year, before he fraudulently enlisted in the United States Navy (with help of Father Peter altering his baptism record). Donald served 3 ½ years, mostly as a gunner’s mate on four different Patrick Henry Class Liberty Ships. He was honorably discharged in December of 1945.
At a school dance, Donald caught the eye of Marjorie Schweitzer. Their loved flourished and upon him returning home from the war, Donald and Marjorie married on May 18, 1946, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Jordan, MN. They settled their roots in Jordan, with a home built across the street from his business and later 2 homes by the Mill Pond. Here, they raised 7 children, Gary, Douglas, Barbara, John, Mary Beth (Mazie), Laurie and Sue. When time allowed, the Undesser family enjoyed vacations to Grandpa Schweitzer’s cabin, renting a cabin on a lake or the great camping journey to the Black Hills, SD.
In 1946, Donald founded Don’s Standard Gas Station. He was a pioneer as a full-service station, with a convenience store concept too. He ran the business for 42 years, until retiring and selling in 1987. In retirement, Don dappled for a while selling cars, renewed his interest in golf, but mostly enjoyed playing cards with his friends. As a couple, Donald and Marjorie fell in love with the Florida panhandle and started a 10-year stretch of wintering for up to 2 months at a time.
While visiting his son Doug and wife Julie in Whidbey Island, WA, Donald suffered a stroke. The stroke damage was minimized, which also led to the next decade of additional medical issues. His daily routines became much more simplified. He still enjoyed his time being on the tractor mowing lawn. Donald remained an avid sports fan, especially of the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. His true passion was his family. The blessing of grandchildren and great-grandchildren enriched his life immensely. His days were still full, with not a lot of reflection, but still lots of activity.
The legacy of Donald will remain in the hearts of his beloved wife, Marjorie (Schweitzer) Undesser; sons, Gary Undesser, Douglas (Julie) Undesser, John (Mary) Undesser; daughters, Barbara (Fiancé Dave Johnson) Wolner, Mary Beth (Gary) Pauly, Laurie (George) Honza, Sue Raddatz; grandchildren, Meghan (Nick) Detjen, Kyle (Katie) Undesser, Jenna (Nate) Sulerud, Kayla Undesser, Kristina (Joshua) Zwart, Jennifer (Patrick) Cantwell, Alissa (Cody) Ahmann, Mike (Carolyn) Wolf, Ashley (Donnie) Rooney, Brittany Raddatz, Jake Raddatz; 15 great-grandchildren; brother, Florian (Fran) Stang; many family and friends.
Donald was welcomed home in heaven by his father, John Henry Undesser; mother, Ann Undesser (Nick) Stang, brother, Leroy Undesser; sister, Anita (Charles) Mettille.
