Donovan Schimpp, 75, died Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2007, at his home in Bullard Township after a two-year battle with leukemia.
He was born on July 27, 1931, to Andrew and Mayme (Holman) Schimpp in Thomastown Township. He grew up helping on the farm and attending country school. He attended high school in Staples and each fall he went to North Dakota to work in the potato fields. In February 1954, he entered the Army where he helped build runways for airplanes. He left the service in 1956 and returned home to marry Ardis Nygren on July 21. He worked for EW Coons in Hibbing, building bridges. He bought his own farm in 1958. He left EW Coons after five years to farm full time. He was an active member of the Thomastown Covenant Church, enjoyed auction sales, deer hunting, working on tractors, visiting with neighbors, and spending time with his grandchildren.
Services were Saturday, Jan. 27, at the Thomastown Covenant Church with the Rev. Jack Trosen officiating. Burial will be in the Thomastown Covenant Church Cemetery. Arrangements were entrusted to the Brenny Funeral Home of Staples.
Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Ardis; children, Annette (Rex) Wright of Staples, and Doug (Deanne) Schimpp of Staples; 10 grandchildren; mother, Mayme; brothers, Byron (Mary) of Ypsilanti, Mich., Russell (Jacqueline) of Staples, Gary (Carmen) of Staples, and David (Jocelyn) of Remer; sisters, Judy (John) Todd of Eagan, Joyce (Roger) Anderson of Isanti, and Barbara (Larry) Rach of Verndale; several cousins; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Debra Lynn Schimpp Bernstrom; and his father, Andrew "Buck" Schimpp.
