Donald R. Mennenga

Donald Mennenga, 78 of Lake Crystal, entered eternal life on Thursday, November 10, 2016 at home with his wife of 52 years and his son at his bedside.

Funeral Mass will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 15, 2016 at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church with Rev. Tim Reker officiating. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Monday, November 14, 2016 at Northview-North Mankato Mortuary, 2060 Commerce Dr., in North Mankato and one hour prior to the service at the church. A Rosary will be said at 7:00 p.m. Monday evening. He will be laid to rest at Holy Family Cemetery. Memorials preferred to Holy Family Catholic Church construction project or donor’s choice.

His proud parents Ted and Loretta welcomed their baby boy on April 7, 1938 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Mankato. He attended the TC (Teacher’s College) lab school for his elementary years and graduated from Mankato High School in 1957. Then, it was on to Mankato State College for a year. After that, he engaged in farming with his father and became the third generation on that farm.

In 1964, he married Evelyn Knutson at Immaculate Conception Parish in Faribault, Minnesota.  To this union a son Douglas John was born, the only Mennenga to carry on the name. They resided in Lake Crystal until 1973 when they moved to the family farm where they resided for 43 years until his death.

During the polio epidemic of 1940’s, at the age of 6 he was struck with this disease. He spent a year at Sister Kenney’s Sheltering Arms. During this time of gas rationing, it was difficult for his parents to make the trips to visit him.  Fortunately, two of his aunts, Ann Mennenga and Diane Mennenga, were head nurses there who doted on him.

In 1991 Don was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. In 2004, in Clearwater, Florida, DBS surgery (Deep Brain Stimulation) was performed. For the last seven years Don was immobile. Through the grace of God, he was able to remain in his home where his wife cared for him and his son visited many days each month to assist in his care.  Throughout the last seven years, three special caregivers entered his life and formed a deep, loving bond with the Mennenga’s and became family.  The love, friendship and caring of these angels, Kathy, Brooke, and Jackie made the journey a blessing.

Don was a member of the Jaycees and Lions service clubs, and served both organizations as its president.  In addition, he was an active member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Lake Crystal where he taught CCD, ushered, was a Eucharistic Minister, as well as Men’s Club President.  In 1979, he was elected to the Crystal Coop Board and served as a director and later as board chairman.

His bubbly personality, sparkling wit, and love of people radiated through him as he attracted many loyal friends. Don’s many activities with family and friends included golfing, fishing, boating, waterskiing, snowmobiling, playing cards, and poker with the boys.

Don is survived by his wife, Evelyn; son, Doug (DJ) of Apple Valley; sister, Joann (Eugene) VanOverbeke of Eagan; brother-in-law, Robert Sandt of Lake Crystal; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Elaine and Jerry Grendahl of Prior Lake; three nieces, Judy, Nan, and Lisa; seven nephews, Mike, Jeff, Jason, John, Brett, Shannon, and Ryan; seven godchildren; and three special caregivers, Kathy, Brooke, and Jackie. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ted and Loretta Mennenga; sister, Mary Ann Sandt; sister, Geraldine (Harry) Hefler; sister-in-law, Dorothy Knutson; and one godchild.