Donald Manthei

Donald "Doc" Oliver Manthei passed away peacefully at his winter home in Mesa, Arizona on January 14, 2018 at the age of 91. He was the oldest of three boys born to Elmer and Frieda Manthei at their home in Hennepin County, Minnesota on September 16, 1926.

In celebration of his life, a visitation will be held at Patton Schad Funeral Home in Melrose, Minnesota from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 5, 2018 and from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Melrose on Friday, April 6, 2018 followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. Lunch will be served at the Melrose American Legion after the burial at Oak Hill Cemetery.

Donald graduated from Buffalo High School in Buffalo, Minnesota in 1943 and continued to work on the family farm before finding his passion as a veterinarian. Donald married Eileen Schoening in 1953 and they had two boys, Michael and Mark. Don, a life-long learner, decided to go back to school and graduated in 1954 from the University of Minnesota with a degree in veterinary medicine. He was drafted into the U.S. Army shortly after his graduation from college and worked as a dog trainer at Fort Riley in Manhattan, Kansas. Many of those service dogs went on to Vietnam.

After his time in the U.S. Army, Don moved his family to Norwood Young America, Minnesota and started practicing as a veterinarian. In 1968, they moved to Melrose, Minnesota and he became a partner at the Melrose Veterinary Clinic. Doc, as he was endearingly referred to by many, quickly took a liking to the area and made friends with many of the nearby farmers and even more of their cows.

In 1978, Donald married Maxine Manthei (Linquist) and between Don's two boys and Maxine's four children, they quickly became a family of eight. Don and Maxine enjoyed a beautiful, hard-working, and adventurous life together. Whether they were raising hogs or thoroughbred racehorses, cruising Alaska's coast or horseback riding as part of a wagon train through Montana, their love is truly one for the ages.

Don had a penchant for dry-humor and a smile that would light up the room. He was always up for a game of cribbage (over manhattans of course) and could usually be caught sneaking more than his share of ice cream topped in blueberries or debating with his grandchildren about politics and current affairs. He was a lovable mischief-maker to say the least, and passed away just as he lived, with peace and grace.

Don is sadly missed by his family and friends, but we fondly celebrate his legacy. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife Maxine of Sauk Rapids, MN, son Mark (Theresa) Manthei of San Diego, CA, daughter-in-law Becky Manthei of Minneapolis, MN, daughter Tana (Kenny) Krona of Cambridge, MN, son Randy (Linda) Linquist of Brainerd, MN, daughter Lisa (Kevin) Knettel of Elmdale, MN, daughter Marla (Tom) Elgin of Sauk Rapids, MN, brother Elwyn (JoAnn) Manthei of Loretto, MN, seven grandchildren who he adored, and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding Don in his death are his parents Elmer and Frieda, brother Howard, and son Michael.