Donald Woodke

Donald Herbert Woodke was born August 30, 1931 in Swan Lake Township to Herbert and Adela (Koehntop) Woodke. Donald was baptized October 11, 1931 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Swan Lake Township. He was confirmed May 20, 1945 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church. He attended District 38 in Swan Lake Township and graduated from The West Central School of Agriculture in 1948. Donald was united in marriage to Beverly Anderson on June 19, 1954 at Peace Lutheran Church in Morris. The couple lived on the family farm in Swan Lake Township where they farmed together and raised a family.

Donald was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Swan Lake Township, then Faith Lutheran Church in Morris, where he served on both church councils. Donald enjoyed raising cattle, working in the fields, watching wildlife and spending time with family.

Donald died peacefully at home on Monday, September 14, 2009, on the same farm site he was born on 78 years earlier.

Donald is survived by two sons, Steven and Molly Woodke of Morris and Loren and Tisha Woodke of Alexandria; daughter, Nancy Woodke and Brian Olson of Morris; two grandsons, Derek and  Elysia Woodke of Hoffman, and Darin Woodke and Alexis Eineke of Morris; step-granddaughter, Kassandra Knudson of Alexandria; three sisters, Delores and Leslie Bruns of Morris, Marion Buscher of Monticello, and Gladys and Richard Brown of Deer River; two sisters-in-law, Ardelle Rohloff of Morris, Shirley Holman of Donnelly; nieces and nephews, Kathy Ellenbecker, Mark Anderson, Sharon Anderson, Mary Stahn, Colleen Anderson, Calvin Anderson, Gail Hoffman, Kay Hacker, Jan Wagener, Dwaine Bruns, Carol Johnson, Debra Neises, Tom Buscher, Jim Buscher, Michael Brown, and Melanie Neveau; and cousins.

Donald is preceded in death by his wife, Beverly; his parents; brothers-in-law, John Buscher, Clayton Anderson and Richard Anderson; parents-in-law, Gustav and Alfreda Anderson; niece, Jeanne Lesmeister and nephew and Godson, Dennis Bruns.

Pallbearers for the service are: Calvin Anderson, Mark Anderson, Michael Brown, Dwaine Bruns, Daryl Johnson and Ryan Neveau. Rita Lambert will serve as organist for the service with John Kleinwolterink serving as soloist. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.