Don DeCann

Life History for Don DeCann
Don 'Cabbage' DeCann, a life long resident of Osakis died suddenly on Thursday, August 27 at the Douglas County Hospital in Alexandria, MN. He was 79 years old.
Born Donald Eugene DeCann on July 5, 1931 in Alexandria, MN, he was the youngest son of Jesse and Anna (Roerig) DeCann. He graduated from Osakis High School with the class of 1949. After high school, Don enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he served for four years and then joined the U.S. Navy where he served on the U.S.S. Noble during the Korean War. Upon return to civilian life, Don married Barbara Jean Bruneau at the Immaculate Conception Church on October 20, 1960.
Prior to the start of his U.S. Postal Career, Don worked a series of odd jobs which include: typesetter at Osakis Review, Great Plains Supply in Osakis, and construction work with his brother Duke. In 1961 Don began working for the U.S. Post Office as a Letter Carrier, first in Osakis and laterin Alexandria. After retiring in 1986, Don kept busy working part time at the Home Quality Foods grocery store in Osakis.
As a lifelong and active member of the Immaculate Conception parish, Don volunteered his time and talents in many ways. Over the years, he was a Lector, a Eucharistic Minister and on Monday mornings was the "Bean Counter" with his brother, Duke. Don was a daily attendant at Mass and would lead the communion services when Father was absent. Don was a former member of the Osakis VFW Post and the Osakis Lions club. His hobbies included coin collecting, whittling (esp. walking sticks), crossword puzzles, and according to his daughters, during the early years he was known as the "Great White Hunter". Besides being an avid history buff, he liked to read, especially Westerns and cheer on his favorite football teams. Don enjoyed his daily morning and afternoon visits with his buddies over coffee at the local cafe where he was known to tell a few stories, swap a few lies, and "shake a few dice". Don was a wonderful husband, father and grandpa who will be dearly missed by his family and many friends.
He is survived by his wife, Barb DeCann of Osakis; his children, James (Jenny) DeCann of Waconia, MN, Anita Schoniger of Osakis, MN, Mary (Jeff) Benson of Castroville, TX, Val (Brian) Koelln of Hutchinson, MN, Bernadette 'Boo' (Matthew) Thooft of Lucan, MN and Suzanne DeCann of Jonesboro, GA; 17 grandchildren; 8 great, grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, a son, Joseph DeCann in 1985; two brothers, Earl 'Jumbo' and Ed 'Duke' DeCann, who just died on August 3 of this year.
A Mass of Resurrection was held for Don on Monday, August 30, 2010 at 10:30 am at the Immaculate Conception Church in Osakis with Fr. David Petron and Fr. Dick McGuire officiating. Musicians were the funeral choir, with soloists, Kari Mohror and Dana Hetland. Interment was at the Calvary Cemetery in Osakis with military honors by the Osakis VFW Honor Guard. Honorary pallbearers were Clarence Mielke, Jim Mattson, Danny Fields, Chub Hensley, Jim Walsh, Dean Muhlenhardt, Larry Richter and Neal Ranum. Active bearers were Jay DeCann, Matthew, Patrick, and Michael DeCann, Zachary Thooft, Andrew and Jeremy Koelln, Donovan Schoniger and Jeff Benson.