Donald "Don" Kendle

Donald G. “Don” Kendle, age 90 of Sauk Centre, died peacefully, surrounded by his family on Monday, August 1, 2022 at the CentraCare Hospital in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 6 at First Lutheran Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Michael Carlson officiating. Inurnment will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Sauk Centre with military honors by the Sauk Centre United Veterans Honor Guard.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church.

Donald Gene Kendle was born May 16, 1932 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Frank and Annette (Mathiason) Kendle. He graduated from Mechanic Arts High School in St. Paul. Don enlisted in the U.S. Army on January 23, 1950 and was honorably discharged on January 23, 1953, serving during the Korean Conflict. Don worked for American Standard Heating and Plumbing for three years and then worked construction. He started working in transit and eventually retired after 32 years with the Metropolitan Transit Commission in 1995. He continued to work installing doors and windows, running his own business for five years. Don moved to Sauk Centre in 2000 to enjoy his retirement. He was united in marriage to Ruth Stenzel on October 29, 2007 at First Lutheran Church in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

He was a member of First Lutheran Church in Sauk Centre and lifetime member of the V.F.W. Don enjoyed volunteering at church, the church fish fry, and volunteering at the food shelf. He also enjoyed biking, taking walks, playing cards, camping, and fishing.

Survivors include his children, David (Christine) Kendle of Baudette, Valerie (David) Miller of Sun City, Arizona, Laura (Seth) Putz of Baudette, Lawrence (Kathleen) Kendle of Rockford, and Mary (Scott) Johnson of Warroad; special friend, Shirley Sukke of Sauk Centre; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; brother, Bill (Arlys) Kendle of Roseville; and sister, Janice Kassube of Surprise, Arizona.

Don was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Stenzel on December 16, 2015; parents; brothers, Richard and Ken Kendle; and sisters, Dorothy Johnson and Margie Schultz.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to First Lutheran Church or the Sauk Centre Food Shelf.