Donald H. King of Chatfield, Minn., formerly of Rochester, Minn., died Sunday, June 14, 2020, at the Chosen Valley Care Center in Chatfield, Minn., following an almost three-year battle with brain cancer.
Donald, “Donnie,” was born on March 16, 1945, to Herbert and Agnes (Twedt) King in rural Racine, Minn. He attended school in Hamilton, Racine and Stewartville. In 1962, he enlisted in U.S Army, trained as a rifleman. After his honorable discharge, he returned to Spring Valley, Minn. He was an over-the-road truck driver until becoming a manager at Spring Valley Ready Mix. Later in his career, he was employed at Romac as a driver, and Rochester Brick as a dispatcher. Donnie was also a rental property owner and took great pride in the care and maintenance of those properties.
Always being a social butterfly, Donnie could strike up a conversation with anyone; he never met a stranger, only a friend he had not spoken to yet. Having driven many miles on the road, he loved traveling and going on cruises. He could give you directions to get anywhere across the United States. Going to the cabin in northern Minnesota on the shores of Lake Sylvia was especially his favorite place to be. There he could take long four-wheeler rides and explore new trails. A farm boy at heart, he also enjoyed raising his beef calves in the summertime outside of Spring Valley. His greatest enjoyment came from spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Donnie is survived by his daughter Dawn (Dave) Evans, of Superior, Wis., and their children Amy (Norm) Holt, and David (Amy) Evans, also of Superior, Wis. In addition, he is survived by his life companion of 25 years, Dotty Leibold, of Chatfield, formerly of Spring Valley, Minn., and her children Tara (Brian) Nolan of Chatfield, Minn., and Mike (Tiffany) Leibold of Phoenix, Ariz., grandchildren Taylor, Dillon and Shelby Nolanl, and great-grandchildren Macy, Allison, and Weston Holt, and Savannah Evans. He is also survived by three brothers: Robert “Mark” King of California, Darrell Hansen and Dave King of Nebraska.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Richard “Tex” King.
Due to the COVID pandemic, a small, private family service at Macken Funeral Home and burial at Hamilton Cemetery took place last week.
Memorials are preferred to the Chosen Valley Care Center.
Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.
“Keep on trucking, you old trucker!”