Donald L. Askelson

Donald L. Askelson, 84, Lake Park, MN, passed away Friday. May 18, 2018, surrounded by his loving family, at Sanford Health Medical Center in Fargo.

Donald was born March 3, 1934, in Ulen, MN, to Henry and Olga (Opgrand) Askelson.  He attended high school in Felton, MN where he participated in football and track and graduated in 1952.  On September 20, 1953 he was united in marriage to LaVonne Ode at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Audubon, MN.  They made their home in Felton for 2 years before moving to LaVonne’s home farm, where they have resided ever since.  Over the years Don enjoyed farming, working in tire sales and repair at Cenex in Lake Park, various construction jobs, and many years as an over-the-road truck driver for companies, including API in Fargo, where he received a million- mile accident free award.   Don and LaVonne also owned the Lake Park Drive-Inn restaurant for 7 years. From 1961 to 1968 Don drove school bus, and after he was finished, LaVonne took over that job for 45 years.  After driving bus, Don worked in farming for Kevan Nelson. Don later returned to driving bus, where he retired at the age of 80.

Don was the Vice President of the church council at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Audubon, a devoted member of the Lake Park church council, and member of the Lake Park Township board.  He loved spending time in his gardens, especially with his huge tomato plants that were envied by all. He also loved wood-working, puzzles and raising cattle.

Don is survived by his loving wife, LaVonne, Lake Park; children, Cindy (Everett) Nelson, Hawley; Debbie (Paul) Sander, Lake Park; Steve (Jackie) Askelson, Cedar Hill, TX; Doug (Lauri) Askelson, Audubon; Lisa (Doug) Anderson, Lake Park; Christy (Tom) Wiesmann, Moorhead; Julie (Joe) Dalen, Lake Park, and Sherri (Troy) Capell, Midlothian, TX; grandchildren, Tim Illg, Tiffani Rosing, Meghan Nelson, Matthew Sander, Natalie Slininger, Nikki Jackson, Mandi Dearborn, Jason Askelson, Kaila Capouch, Dawnelle Skaudis, Jeremy Anderson, Nathan Anderson, Allisa Johnson, Michael Wiesmann, Nicholas Wiesmann, Jessica Dalen and Andrew Dalen; 26 great-grandchildren; brother, Clair Askelson, West Fargo; brother-in-law, Bud (Becky) Ode, Lake Park, and 12 nieces and nephews.  He also leaves behind his beloved German Shepherd, Josie.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother and sister-in-law, Harlan and Helen Askelson; granddaughter, Gretchen Nelson; great-grandson, Brady Johnson; in-laws, Eivind and Myrtle Ode, sister-in-law Sharon and Don Kvilvang and sister-in law Sharon Askelson.

A memorial gathering will be held Tuesday, May 22, 2018, from 5 to 7 P.M. with a prayer service at 7 P.M., at Lake Park Lutheran Church, Lake Park, MN. The memorial service will follow on Wednesday, May 23, 2018, 2:00 P.M., at the church.