Donald H. Volkmuth
May 22, 1931 – April 4, 2007
DONALD H. VOLKMUTH, 75
of St. Cloud, MN
An ordinary man who lived an extraordinary life
Mass of Christian Burial celebrating the life of Donald H. Volkmuth, age 75, to be held at 11 am on Thursday, April 12, 2007 at St. Augustine Catholic Church in St. Cloud. Donald died on April 4, 2007 while vacationing in Florida. The Rev. Luke Steiner OSB will officiate. Entombment will be in the Assumption Mausoleum with full military honors provided by VFW Post 428.
Friends may call between 3-8 pm on Wednesday at the Daniel Funeral home, St. Cloud. St. Augustine’s parish prayers will be at 7 pm Wednesday evening at the funeral home.
Donald was born on May 22, 1931 in St. Cloud to Anton and Clara (Zapf) Volkmuth. Upon graduating from St. Cloud Cathedral High School in 1949, he worked at his fathers printing business. He served in the Korean War from 1952-1954 and married Patricia O’Brien in 1955. Donald with his brothers Dick and Dave purchased the printing business from their father in 1958. He was President of Volkmuth Printers when he retired in 1985 and began traveling with his wife, developing real estate and gardening.
Though saddened by the passing of Patricia in 2001, he was blessed when he met and married Joan Barrett, whom he deeply loved and admired. Most recently, Donald and Joan enjoyed spending summer weekends at their lake home in Park Rapids and winter months in Florida.
Donald dedicated his life to his family, faith, friends, employees, and the city of St. Cloud. He was an active member of St. Augustine parish and helped make the church a welcoming and joyful place to worship.
As an active member of the St. Cloud community Donald served as past president of the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, chairman of the United Way annual campaign in 1980 and 1981, and past president of St. Cloud Opportunities. He served on the Board of Directors for Norwest Bank and the Hill Monastic Manuscript Library at St. John’s University. In 2003 Donald received the Individual Award in Philanthropy from the Central Minnesota Community Foundation.
Survivors include wife Joan, children Mark (Jeanette) Volkmuth, Beth Boegel, Lynn (Roger) Vasko, Paul (Julee) Volkmuth, step-children Theresa Pesch, Beverly Barrett, Kathleen (David) Synstegaard, Gary Barrett, Elizabeth (Brian) Kruger-Peterson, 21 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren, brothers Anthony and David, sisters Alice Sand and Frances Jacobson.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Patricia and brother Richard.
Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers to the Donald and Joan Volkmuth Scholarship Fund at the St. Cloud Technical College (SCTC Foundation) 1540 Northway Drive, St. Cloud 56303.
Guestbook
May your faith keep you strong. Uncle Don is dancing with his brother on the golden streets of heaven.
I will be there Wednesday night. I learned a lot from him and always looked up to him. As a young boy I thought of Uncle Don as my favorite Uncle…he was larger than life to me!
Dear Beth and family
We are so sorry to hear that your dad passed away. I have to go to
Winnipeg for work on Tuesday and won’t be back in St. Cloud until late Thursday night but Larry plans to go to the wake on Wednesday. I wish I could be there to give you a hug. Please know we are thinking of you, Kevin, Neal and Kelsey. Take care. Love Susan and family
Dear Joan and Family,
We were saddened to learn of Don’s death.
Joan, our hearts go out to you.
As you know, we knew Don for many, many years.
We were so pleased when the two of you married. You made him a gentler man!
The community will miss him.
We are not in the area and are sorry to not be in attendance at the celebration of Don’s life.
We send our sympathy, prayers, hugs, and thanks for his life.
Our very best wishes,
Jack and Janie Amundson
I have worked with Don on a myriad of issues over the past 30+ years. My fondest memories came during my college years, when I met this progressive, bold leader.
I was editor of the college newspaper and Volkmuth Printers was awarded the printing contract. Don was always interested in student issues; we would speak for hours on issues of the day — Vietnam, student protests, censorship, student behavior. When the newspaper won national attention, Don appeared at our office with food and $100 for each staff member. He was proud. One of my favorite ‘Don’ stories centered on my desire for a particular type face I fancied – Chelmsford. I begged Don to purchase the type for the newspaper. I can remember him standing firm and stating: “That type is going to cost me $50!” I grinnned; he bought the type. Frustrated by his local newspaper (in the mid 70s), Don offered a group of us $50,000 to start a new community paper. Don was never hesitant to voice his opinions and support his beliefs. He has done more for this community than any local business leader I know. He gives quietly, usually anonymously…”no need for recognition” and “don’t ever stick my name on a building,” he would say. He was humble; honest; genuine and forthright in all he did. Don was simply, a very good man. He will be missed.
Joan, my thoughts and prayers are with you. I am speaking at a national conference this week and – though it breaks my heart – I will be unable to attend the gatherihng in Don’s honor. I will be there in spirit and I offer Dave, Tony and the entire Volkmuth family a hug, in thought.
Services
Visitation
Daniel Funeral Home, St. CloudServices
St. Augustine’s Catholic ChurchSchedule Details
Mass of Christian Burial celebrating the life of Donald H. Volkmuth, age 75, to be held at 11 am on Thursday, April 12, 2007 at St. Augustine Catholic Church in St. Cloud. Donald died on April 4, 2007 while vacationing in Florida. The Rev. Luke Steiner OSB will officiate. Entombment will be in the Assumption Mausoleum with full military honors provided by VFW Post 428.
Friends may call between 3-8 pm on Wednesday at the Daniel Funeral home, St. Cloud. St. Augustine’s parish prayers will be at 7 pm Wednesday evening at the funeral home.