Donald G. Oss

Donald G. Oss, 94, of Spring Valley, Minn., passed away peacefully on September 6, 2025, at the Spring Valley Care Center.

Don was born at home in Spring Valley to parents Gjert P. and Julia Oss October 1, 1930. He was baptized and confirmed at the Norwegian Lutheran Church in Spring Valley, and attended the local schools, graduating in 1948. In 1952 Don received a degree from Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, majoring in Physics and Mathematics.

After graduating, he was drafted into the army during the Korean War. Don’s Military Occupational Specialty was a Physical Science Assistant, and he was sent to Dugway Proving Ground, Utah, where he spent the remainder of his two years of active service. He then enrolled at the School of Mines at the University of Minnesota, receiving a degree in Minerals Engineering in June 1958. The day after he graduated from the U of MN he married Wilma E. Anderson from Ottertail Lake, Minn. After their honeymoon at Lake Minnewaska, the couple resided in Hibbing, Minn., as Don had been recruited by the M. A. Hanna Company to work on the Mesabi Iron Range in northeastern Minnesota as a metallurgist, doing quality control work at several natural ore mines.

In 1964, Hanna announced the construction of two taconite concentrating and pelletizing plants on the range – Butler Taconite at Cooley, Minn., and National Steel Pellet Plant at Keewatin, Minn. Don was assigned to Butler Taconite as a Systems Analyst in charge of developing the new process computer that was to be installed at the Butler plant. He and his wife spent four months at the Control Systems Division of Control Data at La Jolla, Calif., to oversee this project for Hanna. Butler Taconite began operations in 1967, and in 1968, Don was promoted to assistant superintendent of Pelletizing Operations. After the closure of Hanna’s natural ore mines in 1969, Don was assigned to the Planning and Technical Services group at Butler Taconite as a Metallurgist. In 1978 he became the environmental engineer for the Domestic Iron Ore Division working in the Hibbing office, and later at National Steel Pellet Company. As a result of the energy crisis in the 1970s and a period of over-expansion on the Range, several pelletizing plants were shut down, including four of the five that were in the Domestic Iron Ore Division of Hanna. In 1985, Butler Taconite shut down after the bankruptcy of a partner, Wheeling Steel Corporation, and at age 54, Don chose to take an early retirement.

Don was offered a job as an environmental consultant at Shell Engineering Company in Columbia, Mo. Don and Willie sold their house on Swan Lake, Pengilly, Minn., where they had lived for several years, and moved to Columbia, Mo., in 1985. Don continued to work at Shell until he retired again at age 62.

Don and Willie enjoyed many years of international travel, documenting sites and cultures from around the world in beautiful photo albums. Don was proud of his Norwegian heritage and enthusiastically shared stories about people and places in Norway. Willie passed away in 2004.

In 2010 Don bought and renovated his parents’ house in Spring Valley to use as a rest stop on his twice-a-year visit to the Iron Range for reunions of the Hanna Salaried Retirees Club. He continued his international travel including several trips to Norway to visit family. During his post-retirement time in Spring Valley, Don became good friends with Mary Jo Dathe and permanently moved back to his home town. Don and Mary Jo were married in July 2014 and purchased a town home on the north side of town. The two enjoyed several years of local and international travel together. Mary Jo passed away in the fall of 2023.

Don was able to live comfortably in his home until his final months, thanks to his niece, Lesley Salsman who has been “love in action” as a true friend and caregiver. Lesley was assisted by her husband Jim and Stella, her English Springer Spaniel who brought Don much joy.

Don was an avid reader and generously shared his books. He enjoyed time together with friends at Senior Dining, puzzling and field trips. He supported many charitable organizations.

Don is preceded in death by parents Gjert P. and Julia, wife Willie, sister Gertrude, brother Calvin, niece Pam, and wife Mary Jo.

He is survived by cousin Toril Herdis Strand Oiaas (Joar) of Norway; nephews Gerald Oss (Susan) of Maple Lake, Minn., Daniel Oss (Nancy) of Bloomington, Minn., Tom Oss (Kathleen) of Prescott, Wis., Roger Roth of Cedar Falls, Iowa; nieces Lesley Salsman (Jim) of Rochester, Minn., Kathy Kromroy (Tom) of White Bear Lake, Minn., Karen Nelson of Balsam Lake Wis., and many friends, including lifelong friends Harlan and Turby Marchant of Spring Valley, Minn.

The family would like to thank the compassionate caregivers at Spring Valley Care Center and St. Croix Hospice.

Private interment will be held at a later date at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston, Minn.
Donations in memory of Don may be made to the Spring Valley Historical Society (220 West Courtland St., Spring Valley, MN 55975; springvalleymnhistory.org), the Vesterheim Norwegian Museum (520 West Water St., Decorah, IA 52101; vesterheim.org) or an organization of your choice.