Donald Merlin Thaemert

Donald M. Thaemert, age 90, of Annandale, formerly of Minneapolis, died on Sunday, September 19, 2021 at The Glenn in Buffalo, Minnesota after suffering with the effects of dementia.

Memorial Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 23, 2021 at the Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel, Annandale with Rev. Alex Becker officiating. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. Memorials are preferred to the family. The service will be live-streamed on the funeral home website.

Donald Merlin Thaemert was born to Arthur and Katherine (Heldt) Thaemert on a small farm in Cologne, Minnesota on June 19, 1931 along with his twin, Dorothy. As a young man Donnie wore many hats. During the Korean War, he decided to join the United States Air Force where he served proudly in Alaska working on and repairing much of the land equipment. Upon the end of his 4-year enlistment, he moved to Minneapolis where he started his 40-year employment with first, Joe Lambert Construction, and then Truck Crane Service Co. and Tony Phillippi Crane. He excelled at being a crane operator and had a passion for the work.

On May 20, 1972, he was united in marriage to Diane (Mauren) Lee at Bethany Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. They made their home in Minneapolis, while enjoying summer weekends at their cabin on Clearwater Lake, near Annandale. They eventually made their cabin their year-round home, before moving to the Southbrook Golf Course in Annandale. Don was a proud member of the 49ers, Masons, and Giant Valley American Legion Post. He enjoyed being outdoors hunting and fishing. There wasn't anything Don could not repair.

He will be missed by his wife, Diane; children, Lori, Sue, and Brian; stepchildren, Mark, Missy, Janet, and Brian; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, and other family members; and his beloved pet, Sadie. He was preceded in death by children, Wendy, Steve, and Donald; first wife, Pat; parents, Art and Katie; and siblings, Dorothy and Edward.

 

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