Donald “Don” E. Jenkins
Posted By Ballard Sunder Funeral Home On April 23, 2024 @ 4:21 pm In 2024,Obituaries | 5 Comments
Donald “Don” E. Jenkins, of Jordan, passed away on April 20, 2024, from BPDCN leukemia diagnosed in July 2023. He was a wonderful son, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
A Celebration of Life will be held in Don’s honor on June 3, 2024, at 11AM with a visitation from 10-11AM, all at the Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club, 2920 220th St E, Prior Lake, MN. Don will be laid to rest at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
He was born in Springfield, IL to parents Donald Sr & Ruth “Hamm” Jenkins. He was an only child. The family moved to St Paul in 1940, and eventually to Minneapolis. Don always enjoyed talking about his paper route with family and friends. He graduated from West High School in Minneapolis, and worked at Fingerhut until being enlisted in the Army in September, 1954. He served in the 541st Engineer Co in Germany and was honorably discharged in September 1956.
He met the love of his life Mary “Hebel” Jenkins on New Year’s Eve 1956, and they exchanged wedding vows on December 28, 1957. They moved to Prior Lake in 1965.
Don started his business, Don Jenkins Trucking, in 1970 hauling to Elk River concrete, and in 1971 he added Fabcon in Savage to his haul. He passed the business onto his son. “Dave Jenkins and Sons Trucking” which is still going strong today.
In 1998 Don and Mary retired to Lake Vermilion in Northern MN. They enjoyed hosting Holiday family gatherings. Once he finished landscaping their home on the Lake they bought a farm with hunting property near Cook, MN on the Rice River in 2006. There he was able to take pleasure in his love of the great outdoors for 10 more years until they moved back to Jordan to be close to family in 2016. It was here he was able to enjoy playing in the dirt once again.
Every winter for about 3 months Don and Mary traveled via motorhome or 5th wheel trailer to various state parks, mainly in AZ, NV, FL, and TX. Don truly appreciated being outside. He was always on the skid loader, dozer, and lawn mower creating ponds, trails, wildlife plots, and beautiful landscaped yards. Every year he went wild turkey hunting, and in the spring of 2023 he shot his last turkey weighing 27 lbs. He also hunted grouse, geese, ducks, pheasant, moose, elk, and bear. But his favorite sport was deer hunting, which he began as a young boy.
Don will be remembered for his kindness, quick wit, dedication to having a strong work ethic, and love of family.
Don is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mary; four children, David, Kimberly (Joe), Dennis (Lorie), and Duane (Gayle), twelve grandchildren, Cara, Christopher, Luke, David, Eric, Elyssa (Kit), Jacob (Christine), Carlie (Jordan), Tyler, Kalley (Logan), Julia, and Kaitlyn (Lucas); two great-grandchildren, Oakley and Dawson, and another great-grandchild to be born in August.
Don is greeted in heaven by his parents, Don and Ruth; uncle Lee and aunt Marge Hamm; father-in-law and mother-in-law Frank and Helen Hebel; brothers-in-laws Robert “Bob” Lindgren, and Richard “Dick” Parker; sister-in-law Virginia “Gin” Perl; niece Monica Lindgren; and many other family and friends.
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When our children were young and we would say “we’re going to Mary and Don’s”, there was an immediate excitement as they were always eager to see what fun Don would find for them to do!! He certainly taught everyone who came in contact with him that keeping ‘the child within’ alive and active for all our lives, makes for a vibrant and happy aging. Over the years, I appreciated how Don always made me feel like he was genuinely glad to see me. I will miss him.
I only met the man once when we horse traded for his snowmobile and fishhouse. We kind of took to each other cause I think we might have been brothers from different parents. I liked him right off. Glad my number was in his cell phone to get the notice. Sorry for your loss. We’ll see him again.
Don and Mary were apart of our lives forever. There are many stories that can be told, My mom and dad(Mike and Sharon vien ) and Pete and Joyce Klatte plus many others were together every weekend and most holidays. So many memories. Don is with mom and dad and Pete and Joyce and many others fishing,playing cards and pulling pranks on everyone. He is going to be greatly missed. Sending hugs and condolences to Mary and the kids Love you guys. Kelly Lacey (Vien).
Don was a good friend and a man with good heart and great sense of humor. My kids and I had lots of fun hunting with Don at his farm in Cook. He will be missed.
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When you needed an adventure, excitement or a fun time you called Jenks. He lived to the ripe old age of 90 physically. The best gift was his spirit and personality never reach adulthood. That quality is what made him loved by the young people. He shared his hobbies and toys with everyone. Jenks will be missed by many family members and friends. His memories and stories will continue to be shared for years to come.
Love to the Jenkins Clan,
Mary Schultz