Donald Hunstad

Donald J. Hunstad, 86, of Waukon, IA, formerly of Chaska, MN, died Monday, October 21, 2019, at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Memorial services will be held Monday, October 28, 2019, at 2:00 PM at Christ Presbyterian Church in Edina, MN, with Pastor Melissa Schaser officiating. Burial will be at a later date at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston, MN. Friends may greet the family one hour before and then following services at the church. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements. Memorials can be made to the Nickel Open Fund.

Donald Jerome Hunstad was born August 14, 1933, in Foldahl Township, MN, the son of Anton and Ethel (Haugen) Hunstad. He graduated from high school in Argyle, MN, then moved to Los Angeles and worked as a chauffeur for Goodyear Tires. On June 16, 1953, Don was drafted into the U.S. Army and stationed in Germany; he was discharged on May 2, 1955. After returning home, Don graduated from the Minneapolis Business College and worked for the Downtown Chevytown car dealership as their financial manager before going moving to Foley Manufacturing. On November 10, 1956, Don married Carolyn Mullins at Lake Harriet Christian Church in Minneapolis. Following Foley, he worked as a law office administrator, first for Mackall, Crounse, & Moore Law Office then for Bowman and Brooke Law Office, retiring in 1995. He and Carolyn spent about 20 years wintering in Sun City West, AZ.

Don was a faithful member of Valley View Christian Church in Fridley, MN. He belonged to the American Legion and VFW. Don also ran an investment club with friends. He loved being outside and enjoyed golfing, camping with family, hunting and fishing, and was a former Boy Scout leader. He had a hard time sitting idly by and could always be counted on for support. An active volunteer in his community, Don could often be seen picking up trash along the highways, cleaning up after natural disasters, and participating in Habitat for Humanity. While in Arizona, he many times volunteered to help the local senior citizens prepare their taxes.

He is survived by his wife Carolyn of Waukon, IA; his four children: Dennis (Terri) Hunstad of Waukon, Bruce (Lori) Hunstad of Jordan, MN, Gil (Sherrie) Hunstad of Waukon, and Colleen (Brad) Hagg of Eden Prairie, MN; his grandchildren: Cody (Erika) Hunstad, Hannah Pratt, Ashley (Joey) Cerise, Amanda (Dustin) Smeins, Josh (Stephanie) Hunstad, Caleb Hunstad, Tara (Mike) McMullen, Bianca (Jeff Temte) Hagg, and Sophia Hagg; great-grandchildren: Ryker, Tenley, Italia, Kambria, River, Addie, Brooke, Clayton, Ashton, James, Lily, Jake, and Estelle; three brothers: Ralph (Ada), Duane (Avis), and Howard Hunstad; and a sister Joan Rousseau.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; grandson Nick Hunstad; two brothers: Earl (Joyce) Hunstad and Darrell (Marge) Hunstad; a sister Ivadelle (Evald) Clausen; and brother-in-law Robert "Skin" Rousseau.

Honorary pallbearers are his grandchildren.