Donald Berends

Donald John Berends was born December 1, 1947 in Granite Falls, the son of John and Hazel (Burns) Berends. He was baptized and confirmed at Granite Falls Lutheran Church and attended school in Granite Falls graduating with the class of 1965. On June 19, 1966 Don was united in marriage to Jeanne Tjosaas at Our Redeemers Lutheran Church in Benson. To this union, three children were born. Don began working at Northern State Power in 1967 as a mechanic and boiler operator retiring in 2003. In the 1970’s Don owned and operated DB’s service station and used car lot in Granite Falls. Don had a love of music and was in local bands such as Moss Lichen and The Algae, and The Perfidians, where he sang and played guitar. He worked on cars and small engines in his retirement years and was a ham radio operator. Don enjoyed stock trading, and especially enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was an extremely innovative man with a need for projects. Don is survived by Jeanne, his wife of almost 50 years; children: John Berends and girlfriend Mary Anderson of Granite Falls; Jennifer Shinn and husband Jimmy of Kandiyohi; Jana Berends-Sletten and husband Brett of Granite Falls; grandchildren: Madison and Sam Ohliger and Lincoln and Ella Shinn; brothers: Alan (Linda) Berends of Belview and Art Berends of Granite Falls; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents: John and Hazel; brother Kenneth Berends, and his sister, Barbara.