Donovan Schimpp

Donovan Schimpp, age 75, died Wednesday morning, January 24th, at his home in Bullard Township after a two year battle with Leukemia. Services are planned for Saturday, Jan 27th at 2:00 PM at the Thomastown Covenant Church with Rev. Jack Trosen officiating. Visitation will be Friday evening from 5-7 at the Brenny Funeral Home in Staples and one hour prior to the service at church. Burial will be in the Thomastown Covenant Church Cemetery. Donovan was born on July 27, 1931 to Andrew and Mayme (Holman) Schimpp in Thomastown Township. He grew up helping on the farm and attending Country School. He attended high school in Staples and each fall he would go to North Dakota to work in the potato fields. In February of 1954 he entered the US Army where he helped build runways for airplanes. He left the service in 1956 and returned home to marry Ardis Nygren on July 21. He worked for EW Coons in Hibbing working construction building bridges and bought his own farm in 1958. He left EW Coons after five years to farm full time. Donovan was an active member of the Thomastown Covenant Church, enjoyed Auctions sales, deer hunting, working on tractors, visiting with neighbors, and spending time with his grandchildren. Donovan is survived by his wife of 50 years, Ardis; children, Annette (Rex) Wright of Staples, and Doug (Deanne) Schimpp of Staples; grandchildren, Andrew Bernstrom, Alicia Wright, Amy Bernstrom, Melissa Wright, Ryan Wright, Angela Bernstrom, Nathan Schimpp, Samantha Schimpp, Jessica Schimpp, and Joshua Schimpp; mother, Mayme; brothers, Byron (Mary) of Ypsilanti, MI, Russell (Jacqueline) of Staples, Gary (Carmen) of Staples, and David (Jocelyn) of Remer; sisters, Judy (John) Todd of Eagan, Joyce (Roger) Anderson of Isanti, and Barbara (Larry) Rach of Verndale; several cousins; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his Daughter Debra Lynn Schimpp Bernstrom and his father Andrew BuckSchimpp. Arrangements are entrusted to the Brenny Funeral Home of Staples.