Donald Walter Schlapkohl, aged 84 of Alexandria, Minnesota, died in the Lord surrounded by family, Thursday, November 21, 2019, at the St. Cloud Hospital.
Don was born on September 10, 1935, in Pipestone County, Minnesota to William and Ida (Johannsen) Schlapkohl. He attended country school for eight years and graduated from Pipestone High School in 1953. He helped his father farm and later took over the family farm.
Don was united in marriage to Marilyn Johnson on September 13, 1958, in Lake Benton, Minnesota. The couple continued to farm in Pipestone County. The couple was blessed with three children, Scott, Mark, and Lisa. Don enlisted in the United States Army National Guard and was called to active duty during the Cuban Missile Crisis. After his honorable discharge, the couple moved to South St. Paul where Don became a Federal Meat Inspector. He was transferred to the Worthington office where the family made their home in Brewster for 5 years. They later moved to rural Fulda for 16 years. After Don’s retirement, the couple made their home in Starbuck for 19 years, and then moved to Alexandria in 2009.
Don loved spending time with family more than anything else. He especially enjoyed teaching children how to fish, hunt and play cards. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing pool and cards—especially pinochle, and raising horses and dogs. He loved reading old western books, watching western movies, talking with people, spending time with friends and collecting pocketknives.
Don was preceded in death by his son, Mark; parents, William and Ida; his wife’s parents, Carl and Martha Johnson; his brother-in-law, John McCorkle; and nephew, Troy Hinz. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn of 61 years; son, Scott (Barbara); daughter, Lisa (Bret) Oeltjen; daughter-in-law, Amy (Schlapkohl) Kiehn; grandchildren, Thomas (Kelly), Daniel (Britney), Holly, Kate, Adam, and Levi; great-grandchildren, Alex, Philip, Henry, Charlie, and Owen; sister, Doris McCorkle; sister-in-law, Judy (Roy) Hinz; brother-in-law, Michael (Ginger) Johnson; seven nieces; and two nephews.
A Memorial Service will be held 11:30 AM on Monday, December 2, 2019, at Zion Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Visitation will be held from 4-7 PM on Sunday, December 1, 2019, at the Anderson Funeral Home and for one hour prior to the service at Zion Lutheran.
The family thanks Rev. Paul Dare and their many friends and family who have shared their love and concern. Don will be missed by all, yet we rejoice in the knowledge he is safe in Christ’s arms.
Sunday, December 1, 2019
4:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)
Anderson Funeral Home
Monday, December 2, 2019
10:30 - 11:30 am (Central time)
Zion Lutheran Church
Monday, December 2, 2019
Starts at 11:30 am (Central time)
Zion Lutheran Church
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