Donavon M. O'Connell

Funeral services for Donavon M. O'Connell, age 68, of Carson will be 9:30am MT on Wednesday, January 26, at St. John's ELCA Church in Carson with Pastor Dale Carmen, officiating.

Burial will be at 2:00pm CT at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery south of Mandan with full military honors afforded by the Walter J. Thome American Legion Post #45 of Carson and the Bismarck Vet's Club. Special music will be provided by Tana Zimmerman, organist. Serving as casket bearers are Jim Tibke, Gary Lentz, Don Balliet, Willy Ketterling, Joe Hartman, and Gene Olson.

DONOVAN MARTIN O'CONNELL was born on "St. Patrick's Day", March 17, 1936 at Carson, ND. He was the son of Joseph and Cordelia (Landgrebe) O'Connell. Don was raised by his grandparents Martin and Rose Landgrebe after his mother became disabled.

Don enlisted into the U.S. Air Force on December 3, 1953 and was discharged on December 2, 1957. In June of 1956, he married his high school sweetheart Shirley Besser. They made their home in Carson where they raised 4 children together.

After returning from the Air Force, Don opened a hardware store in Carson which he operated for 5 years. He also owned a TV repair shop before becoming a plumber.

Don enjoyed woodworking, camping, hunting, and fishing with his family and friends. He loved working in his back yard and enjoyed sharing his paradise with others. Don's greatest enjoyment was spending time with his grandchildren.

Donavon passed away on Saturday, January 22, at the Jacobson Memorial Hospital in Elgin.

Surviving are his wife of 49 years, Shirley, Carson; 1 daughter and son-in-law, Debra and Tom Moore, Denver, CO; 2 sons and daughters-in-law, Russell and Shelly O'Connell, Waukon, IA; Robert and Paula O'Connell, Gillette, WY; 1 sister and 2 brothers-in-law, Marilyn and Dalles Krause, Hazen, ND; Pat Scoles, St. Paul, MN; 1 brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Fran O'Connell, Vancouver, WA; 5 grandchildren, Vanessa, Blake, Taylor, Emmy, and Joseph; 1 great granddaughter, Lizzy.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 1 daughter, Lori O'Connell, and 1 sister, Trish Scoles. Visitation will be Tuesday, 1:00 to 7:00pm and on Wednesday one hour prior to services at St. John's ELCA Church in Carson.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Elgin.