Frank Andrew Donnay, age 83, of Park Rapids and Menahga, passed away Saturday May 2, 2015 at St. Joseph’s Area Health Services in Park Rapids surrounded by many of his children and grandchildren.
Frank was born June 25th, 1931 and was the 8th of the 13 children born to Frank and Frances (Klobe) Donnay of Glencoe. Frank grew up on the farm and was drafted into the army during the Korean War where he served as a Signal Coreman for the Military Police in Korea and Hawaii before being honorably discharged. He married Barbara Holty in 1953 and worked at the Moline Machinery Company in Minneapolis before moving to Park Rapids in 1956 and buying the Mileage (later Conoco) Gas Station and Auto Repair. When Frank sold this business, he continued repairing cars at his garage on the hobby farm where the family also moved and where Barbara and Frank continued raising five children. On the hobby farm Frank kept a small number of a variety of livestock including beef cattle, hogs, sheep, quail, wild turkeys, Canadian geese, and chickens that laid colored eggs. One of Frank’s hobbies was bee-keeping, which he shared with area schoolchildren and he continued this until last year when his grandsons took over the bees. Frank also loved hunting, riding motorcycle, and gardening. Frank was a proud 4th degree life member Knight of Columbus. He was also a life member of the Otto Hendrickson American Legion Post #212 of Park Rapids, MN. Barbara died in 1987, and Frank married Mildred Peterson in 1990. He retired from the auto-repair business and continued to work driving school buses for local schools. Frank and Mildred moved to Menahga where they built a new house with a sauna, and where they tended a large garden.
Frank was preceded in death by his wife of 34 years, Barbara; parents Frank and Frances; his brothers Al, Cyril, Louie, and Chuck; his sisters Pauline Ettel, Catherine Kutz, Madonna Drawert, Janetta, Gert Noga, and Magdalena; and his step-son Cory.
He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Mildred; sisters Marie Waneous and Joan Schmeling; his children - Pam (Thomas) Coathup of Garretson, S.D.; Kurt Donnay of Park Rapids, MN, Steve (Nancy) Donnay of Scottsdale, Arizona;, Tim (Julene) Donnay of Ham Lake, MN; and Connie (Michael) Landreville of Edina, MN; Mildred’s son - Kevin (Trisha) Peterson of Conroe, TX; 13 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and many beloved nieces, nephews, and friends, and his beloved lab- copper.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2015 at 11:00 AM at the St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Park Rapids, MN. Visitation will be held on Friday evening from 5 until 7pm at the Cease Family Funeral Home Chapel in Park Rapids, MN. Recitation of the rosary will be led by the Knights of Columbus at 7 PM. Co-Officiants will be Re. Fr. Msgr. Timothy McGee and Deacon John Zinniel. Military Honors will be provided by the Otto Hendrickson American Legion Post #212 Honors Team of Park Rapids, MN. Interment will be held at the St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Cemetery in Park Rapids, MN. Arrangements are being handled by the Cease Family Funeral Home of Park Rapids, MN.