Donald Ring

Donald Ring, age 67, of Villard, died Friday, August 23, 2013 at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, August 30 at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Donald Raymond Ring was born August 20, 1946 at Saint Mary's Hospital in Grand Forks, North Dakota to Francis and Elizabeth (Gillies) Ring of Kempton, North Dakota. Donald grew up on the family farm in Northwood, North Dakota. He attended Pleasantview Country School in Grand Forks County. After earning his GED, Donald continued his education at the Wahpeton State School of Science, NDSU and Alexandria Technical College. Donald worked alongside his father on the family farm. For many years, he worked at Simplex in both Michigan and North Dakota. After moving to Minnesota, Don worked with his uncles, particularly Ervin and Leonard Gillies at Gillies Auto Parts of Sauk Centre. In 1980, Don started his own auto recycling business. He continued working and running this business until his death.

Don was an avid storyteller who always had a one-liner or joke to tell. He had a lifelong love of learning and reading. Don found great joy in researching his family history. Don was always on the lookout for his next adventure and enjoyed traveling the back roads, exploring State Parks and camping with his children.

Donald is survived by his children Tennille (Aaron) Grossman of Billings, MT, Melissa Ring of St. Cloud, MN, Jacob (Roxanne) Ring of Hoffman, MN, and Aaron (Mary) Ring of Keller, TX; grandchildren, Detrick Grossman, Evan Grossman, Kayla Ring, Kylie Ring, Lauren (Nolan) Glahn, Hazen Ring, Salem Ring, Xander Ring, and Draver Ring; sister-in-law, Mary Ann Ring of Rochester; former wives, Teresa Griffin of Glenwood and Nancy Guile of Warsaw, Indiana; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Bernard.