"Donnie, as I always called him was a nearby neighbor on Fremont Street. I enjoyed many hours at the Antonson home with Donnie and his sisters. Later we both attended the University of Minnesota and had occasion to communicate once again. I have very special memories of Don, his wife Dee and the times we were together in Minnesota. Mary Fischer Lindell"
In loving memory of
Donald "Don" Antonson
November 6, 1943 - June 1, 2017
Donald John Antonson (Don) was born November 6, 1943 at home in Fremont, MN to Johnny Emmanuel Antonson and Ella Alice Bartelson. Don, age 73 of Bluffton SC, died peacefully on Friday, June 1, 2017 at Hilton Head Hospital, Hilton Head Island, SC after an 8-year battle with Multiple Myeloma.
Raised on a farm, Don graduated from Lewiston High School, Lewiston MN in 1961. In 1966, he graduated with a BS Degree in Forestry from Univ of MN. In 1994, he earned a MS Degree in Communications from the Univ of TN.
In 1962, Don and his high school sweetheart, Delores (Dee) Kay (Obitz) Antonson were married. He is survived by his wife, Dee, of 54 years; two children, Daniel (Sandy) Antonson of Manassas, VA and Angela (David) Mandigo of Hilton Head Island, SC; five grandchildren, Alex Mandigo, Kimberly (Erik) Leon, Kelsey, Hattie, and Anna Antonson; and sisters, Rose (Robert) Heim of Dover, MN and May (Darrell) Himlie of Rushford, MN. Don is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Arlene Nelson.
Don began his career in 1966 with the USDA Forest Service serving in three districts on the Santa Fe National Forest in the State of New Mexico. In 1973, he was transferred to the Cherokee National Forest District in Greeneville, TN. In 1979, he pursued a new opportunity to manage the Dale Carnegie Courses franchise in Knoxville, TN. In 1995, he became a professional truck driver for Schneider National logging over one million miles.
Upon retirement in 2007, Don helped build their retirement home in Buffalo City, WI enjoying boating and fishing on the Mississippi River with family and friends. Don loved his woodworking shop and also worked as a part-time handyman for several years. He and Dee purchased a motorhome in 2010 and traveled to many places across the U.S. In 2015, they moved to Del Webb's Sun City Hilton Head to be near their children and grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, June 6, 2017 at Rushford Lutheran Church with Reverend Roger Michaelson officiating. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., Monday, June 5, 2017 at Hoff Funeral Home in Rushford and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 7, 2017 at St. John's Cemetery, Lewiston, MN. Please share a memory of Don and view his video tribute when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com. Hoff Funeral and Cremation Service, Lewiston, is assisting the family.
Tributes
"Dee and family, I have been thinking about Donnie over the past few days--after my brother had sent me the obituary. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. I know that the last time I visited with him was at one of the last class reunions. I had not seen him for many years and it was wonderful to reconnect. In school in Lewiston I always liked Don as a classmate and it seemed we really liked some of the same classes especially the shop classes. As I think back about him, I was often reminded of him over the years because my dentist had Julie Antonson on his staff. We sometimes talked about Don. Again, I will miss one of the gentle, nice, positive, and thoughtful people that I grew up with in school and always will remember him. May God Bless you all in your walk through the future with his memory and spirit with us. Frank Siebenaler Lake City, MN"
"Don was truly a man of many talents. We are still very much enjoying the deck he built on our parsonage here in Cochrane. But my favorite memories of Don are the wonderful conversations we had. Oftentimes those conversations were held at his and Dee's beautiful house on the Mississippi in Buffalo City. All too often some of those conversations were held in Rochester, MN, at the Mayo Clinic transplant house. Don is now with his Lord in heaven, and I look forward to the grand reunion in heaven when I'll be able to once again strike up a conversation with him. - Pastor Mark Wilde, Cochrane, WI"
"Dee and family: I met Don about 10 years ago, "chucking chickens" in Buffalo City. I came to know him as a quiet, kind, patriotic individual who cared deeply about his family and the (mis)- direction of our Country. I especially respected the depth of his thinking, and enjoyed our conversations, and the too few times his health allowed him to fish with me. Like you, I'll miss Don, too. With my deepest condolences, Jon Chapman"
"My folk Knew Don his coz. lived near Minneiska, Art Antonson my folks had lived near Wyattville on a farm Art had a son & two daughter all are gone they had talked about Don & his wife been too see them Janet ( Hill ) Seabern"
"Don always seemed to have a smile on his face ..... especially when the "guys" could beat the "gals" in our Pinochle games. PJ always seemed to have that last Ace to help them out; which really made the gals wonder how in the world that could happen! Don was also known as "Trouble 1" and Phil as "Trouble 2; although they did reverse rolls from time to time! What one didn't think of, the other one would; but you could always be assured that they had fun! We will greatly miss those good times, but know that he is in a much better place! Hugs to all! Phil & Carol"