Donald Lenk, Sr.

Donald James Lenk, Sr., of Staples, passed away Friday, August 5, 2016 at the St. Cloud Hospital, after a long illness.

Don was born January 29, 1932, in the Staples area, the son of Vincent and Mary (Opat) Lenk. He spent his boyhood years working on his parents' farm and attended country school and Staples High School. In 1952, he married Clara Orr. He enlisted in the US Army and served in the Korean War as a Sergeant and Guard on the DMZ before being honorably discharged. After returning home to Minnesota, he and Clara built a successful dairy farm in Moran Township. They raised a family of seven children. Don served on the Town Board for many years. In 1975, Don sold his farm and purchased Wahoo Valley. On February 14, 1988, he married Carol Denny Schmitz. They made their home in Staples. Don purchased his own semi-trailer and hauled loads across Minnesota for about five years. He and his wife Carol managed apartment buildings in Shakopee and later the Wayzata Lake Apartments. For ten years Don worked as a Maintenance Supervisor at the Mary Rondorf Home, and spent many years working for the Potato Farm, Irrigation Farm, and the College in various positions. He also helped to build and operate the Ethanol Plant in Staples. He loved to be busy and productive. He loved the outdoors - especially hunting and fishing - and spending time with his family, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Don was a member of the VFW in Wadena, and also the Lions Club. In 2011, he was proud to take part of the Freedom Flight to Washington D. C. He was an A. A. Sponsor.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Vincent and Mary Lenk; brother, John; granddaughter, Jillian; and brothers-in-law, Jim Trantina, Kevin Ryder, Lyle Denny, Melvin Denny, Donald Denny, Gordon Denny, and Peter Denny.

He will be missed by many and is survived by his wife, Carol; children, Carol (Paul) Kert, Donald, Jr. (Debbie), Barbara (Joe) Hasselberg, Rosemary (Dave) Bruhn, James (Cathy), Daniel (Tammy), and Joanne (Mark) Forsberg; step-children, Ken Schmitz, Roger Schmitz, Craig (Lissa) Schmitz, Sarah (Chad) Mathias; 18 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; eight step-grandchildren; his sister, Mary Ann Trantina; brothers, Lawrence (Dorene), Edward (Lynn) and Vincent (Mary); and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services for Don will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, August 10, 2016 at Faith Lutheran Church in Staples. Family and friends are welcome to gather one hour prior to services. Interment with Military Honors will take place at Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery near Camp Ripley.