1929-DONALD KOLANDER-2017
Donald Kenneth Kolander, the son of Reinhold and Meta (Breit) Kolander, was born on December 26, 1929 on the family farm southwest of Fulda, MN. He grew up on the farm and attended St. Paul’s Lutheran School in Fulda and graduated from the Fulda High School in 1948. Don was united in marriage to Patricia Peterson on April 8, 1951 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Fulda. After their marriage they lived on the family farm. Don joined the U.S. Air Force and served in Houston, TX Korea and El Paso, TX. After his the service they returned to live on their farm near Fulda in December of 1955. Don remained on the farm after Pat’s death in September of 2001. In 2002 Don met Gloria Carr on a trip to Arizona. On August 23, 2003 they were married and made their home on his farm. In 2008 they bought a home in Fulda and they split their time between town and the farm. Don passed away on Friday, May 12, 2017 at the Maple Lawn Nursing Home in Fulda at the age of 87. He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Fulda where he sang in the choir, belonged to Walther League and was active in Adult Fellowship. He also served on the Seward Township Board for over 40 years. Don was a 60 plus year member of the Fulda American Legion Post. He enjoyed playing cards, word search puzzle books, doing yard work, flowers, going out to eat and driving around the countryside to look at the fields.
Survivors include his wife, Gloria Kolander of Fulda, MN; two children, Dan (Lisa) Kolander of Corcoran, MN and Terri (Rodney) Ruesch of Eau Claire, WI; 4 grandchildren, Mallory Ruesch, Kara (fiancée, Julio Weigend) Ruesch, Matthew (fiancée, Hannah Bergquist) Kolander and Laura Kolander and brother, Robert Kolander of Fulda, MN. He is preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Patricia Kolander and 2 sisters, Ruth Schroeder and Ellen Johnson.
Funeral Services at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Fulda, MN at 10:30 AM on Friday, May 19, 2017 with Rev. Shawn Ethridge officiating. The organist is Loretta Gehl. The soloist is A.W. Koopman. Honorary pallbearers are his grandchildren. Interment at Prairie Hill Cemetery Fulda, MN.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. The Totzke Funeral Home in Fulda is assisting the family with arrangements. Send condolences online at www.totzkefuneralhome.com.
