Donald Thoennes

Donald William Thoennes was born January 10, 1953 in Alexandria, MN, the son of Peter and Rose (Daas) Thoennes. Donnie grew up in Millerville, MN where he attended St. Mary’s Elementary School. He graduated from Brandon High School in1971.

Following high school Donnie worked at various jobs including working for Skelly Oil. In 1975 Donnie became a petroleum transport truck driver. He began driving for Falls Transport.

On September 15, 1979, Donnie was united in marriage to Cynthia White. The couple made their home in Alexandria and were blessed with two children, Dustin and Samantha. In 1979 he took a job driving for Kane Transport, Inc. Donnie continued with Kane for the next thirty-eight years. Donnie’s driving career was all about safety. In 2008 he was Truck Driver of the Month and that same year, was selected by the Minnesota Trucking Association as Truck Driver of the Year. Donnie drove over 2,000,000 miles in his career without an accident, incident or a citation. He retired from Kane Transport in 2017 due to health concerns.

Donnie was a member of the Knights of Columbus for many years, He enjoyed doing carpentry and working on vehicles.  When he was younger, he liked going deer hunting and spending time snowmobiling. He also fished in the summer and winter.

Donnie’s family was very important to him. He came from a large, loving and caring, family; family values were very important. Donnie took care to share those same values with Cindy and their children.

Donnie battled cancer for the last four- and one-half years. On Saturday, June 15, 2019 Donnie died at the age of sixty-six years. He was preceded in death by his parents; and one infant sister. Donnie is survived by his wife Cindy Thoennes of Alexandria; son, Dustin Thoennes of Alexandria; daughter, Samantha Thoennes of Alexandria; brothers, Phillip Thoennes and wife, Barb, of Wadena, MN, Ralph Thoennes of Alexandria, Mike Thoennes of Osakis, Darrell Thoennes and wife, Alice, of Alexandria, David Thoennes and wife, Laurie, of Moorhead, MN, Mark Thoennes of Millerville and Peter Thoennes of Alexandria; sisters, Judy Johnson and husband, John, of Alexandria, Mary Reuter and husband, Kenny, of Sauk Centre, MN, Evelyn Thoennes of Alexandria and Vera Thoennes of Starbuck, MN; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:30 PM Thursday, June 20, 2019 at the Church of St. Mary in Alexandria. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 PM Wednesday at the Anderson Funeral Home with a prayer service beginning at 4 PM and a Knights of Columbus Rosary beginning at 6:30 PM. Additional visitation will be from 12:30 to 1:30 PM Thursday at the church.