Don Olthoff

DONALD DALE OLTHOFF, age 86, of Lakefield, lost his battle with cancer on Tuesday, July 14, 2020, at the St. Cloud Hospital. He was born May 9, 1934, near Sibley, IA, to Henry and Lena (Ackerman) Olthoff. Don grew up and helped on the family farm near Woodstock and Verdi, MN. He attended Woodstock Elementary School and Verdi High School. He later earned an Electrician Certificate from Dunwoody Tech. School.

In 1953, Don enlisted in the United States Navy and proudly served his country on a Navel destroyer from May of 1953 to October of 1957.

Don married Betty Jane Terhark in 1960 in Balaton, MN. The couple raised three wonderful children. The family spent happy years camping, fishing and enjoying life together. Don also enjoyed golfing, bowling, polka music and playing computer games. He spent the past thirty nine years with his life partner, Christine (Thueson) Lang. They shared a home in Lakefield.

The past four years, Don has spent the warm summers at his trailer home in Sauk Centre enjoying the water and fishing on Sauk Lake. The winter months were spent at his mobile home in Mission, TX, where he enjoyed the warm sun & listening to old time music on the radio. Many good friends were made. For the majority of his working years, Don drove semi-truck which took him to some very interesting places. He retired in 1999. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Aerie #3282 in Worthington, where he served as Worthy President in 1973.

Don is survived by his three children, Pamela (Eric) Hare, Wentworth, SD; Penny (Jeff) Grimmius, Lake Park, IA; and Dale (Trish) Olthoff, Crooks, SD; six grandchildren, Tyler Hare, Blaine Hare, Jeremie Paulson, Chelsee Olthoff, Linzee (Cody) Walters and Kayda Olthoff; three great-grandchildren, Miylee Olthoff, Maycee Olthoff and Chloee Walters; Life partner, Chris Lang, Lakefield; his extended family, Patty (Ray) Brooks, Teresa (Lang) Johnson, Suzanne Lang and Jonathan Lang; four kids also lovingly called him Grandpa Don, Ashley Johnson, C.J. (Lang) Gray, Tresyn Lang and Teyven Lang; a sister, Lucille (Virgil) Halbur, Slayton; a brother, Wayne (Eve) Olthoff, Valley Springs, CA; his ex-wife, Betty Olthoff, Sioux Falls, SD; and many nieces & nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Arly Olthoff; and a great-granddaughter, McKenzee.

In parting Don said, "I've had 86 happy years"!

   A visitation will be Saturday from 2-4 pm at the Dingmann Funeral Home in Worthington, with military honors provided by the Worthington American Legion & VFW. A private family burial will take place later.

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