Donald Sundberg, 91

Donald Sundberg, 91

Donald Roger Sundberg age 91, born in Duluth, Minnesota on May 31, 1933 to Victor and Bertha Sundberg, passed away on January 24, 2025 in Rochester, Minnesota.

Don was born and raised in Duluth, Minnesota and the youngest of 5 siblings. He was raised during the great depression by his mother. Due to the limited amount of government support at the time, Don’s other siblings went to live with relatives. Don grew up to appreciate the value of a dollar and the importance of family support. Don quit school in the 9th grade and went to work full time as a grocery delivery boy, until one fateful day when he was involved in an accident with the delivery truck; which indirectly led him to enlist in the USAF. Don married Marjorie Quade on July 9, 1952 and they spent the next 20 years bouncing from one military base to another while raising a family. While in the Air Force, Don earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Mississippi. Later in life, he would acquire a Master’s degree from the University of Minnesota – Mankato.

Don retired from the military in 1970 as M.Sgt. Sundberg and transitioned to Mr. Sundberg, 6th grade teacher, for hundreds of students within the Austin Public School system. Even after his second retirement in 1986 from the Austin Public School system, Don did not slow down. He began buying old houses, fixing them up, and then renting them out. He continued this activity for several years until he and Marge moved to their lake home in Annandale, Minnesota. Besides the lake home in Annandale, Don and Marge purchased a motorhome and began spending winters traveling the southern states and connecting with old friends. Don was an animal lover. His favorite was an old dog named Wally. It’s been said that Marge threatened on a few occasions that it was either her or the dog – Don remarked, that would be a tough decision. His son Rick eventually adopted Wally (and saved the marriage).

Don loved the outdoors. He and family members made frequent camping trips to the BWCA.

Don loved the thrill of auctions and scoring a great buy, along with the subsequent selling of said item(s) for a great price to his friends and family; all of which who came to know his favorite declaration, ‘Have I got a deal for you!’

Don also loved coin collecting, reading the local paper (his top priority for the day), and playing golf. His golf swing and subsequent scores were considered less than desirable by most, but he never failed to look forward to each season with renewed optimism.

Don loved to frequent casinos. He stuck with the penny machines, so therefore, he never lost much – nor did he ever bring the casino to its knees. But the thrill of an occasional jackpot made his day.

Don loved Country music. Johnny Cash was one of his favorite artists. Don was a fan of John Wayne and he owned a collection of every movie John Wayne ever starred in. In financial terms, Don was not a wealthy man; but in family terms he was rich beyond belief. He loved and supported his wife Marge for over 72 years. He raised and cared for his 4 children into adulthood. And he continued to offer advice to his children well into their adulthood (solicited or not).

He was preceded to heaven by Victor Sundberg (father), Bertha Shimek (mother), Gloria Nylund (sister), Robert Sundberg (brother), Nancy Palda (sister), Marlene Skadberg (sister), and his beloved son-in-law Gary Plotts.

Don is survived by his wife: Marjorie Anne Sundberg; Children: Kathleen Keller, Rick Sundberg (Karen), DeAnne Plotts-Guyette (Wayne), Sue Kocinski (Rick); Grandchildren: Jared Keller (Jessica), Kristen Ryan, Stephanie Helgeson (Jason), Shannon Trcka (Bryan), Sara Hagmeier (Shawn), Adam Plotts (Stacy), Garett Plotts (Aida), Angela Guyette, Hunter Guyette, Braxton Rabago, Katelyn Rabago, Gabriel Rabago; and several great grandchildren.

There was so much more to Don than being a husband and father, he was also a friend, coworker and colleague, a teacher, entrepreneur, handyman, and the list goes on. Don Sundberg was not a passive observer through life, he saw opportunities, took chances, and participated – he LIVED Life. For 91 years you have carried the burdens of this world Don, it is now time for you to take a well-deserved rest, high on that mountain.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 1st at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary in Austin with Chaplin Dan Mrakovich officiating. Visitation will be held one hour before the service at Clasen-Jordan on Saturday. Interment will be in Rose Creek Enterprise Cemetery with military honors performed by the Austin American Legion Post #91 and Olaf B. Damm Post #1216 V.F.W.