Donald Emerson Minett (1918 - 2011)

Donald Emerson Minett was born 3 May 1918 in Richland Center, Wisconsin. He died 4 Nov. 2011 at Fruita, Mesa, Colorado, USA. He was buried 6 Nov. 2011, Dicken Family Farm, Egnar, Montrose, Colorado, USA. Donald was son of Elmer Eugene Minett and Gertrude Lorena Emerson. He married Esther Elizabeth Johnson, 10 Oct. 1942 in Richland Center, Wisconsin . They have 4 children:

1. Douglas Wayne Minett. b. Sep. 22, 1943, Madison, WI, m. 28 Feb. 1965 Janet Lee Mikesell.
2. Gerald Laverne Minett.
3. Janice Kay Minett.
4. Dean Bradley Minett.

Donald and Esther on their wedding day.

Don and Esther Minett 2001.

Obituary

Donald Emerson Minett was born May 3, 1918 in Richland County, Wisconsin to Elmer and Gertrude (Emerson) Minett. He was raised on the family dairy farm with his older sister Gwendeth, and younger siblings, brother Alton and sisters, Dorothy and Meredeth. On October 10, 1942 he married Esther Elizabeth Johnson of Madison, Wisconsin, and to this union were born four children: Douglas, Gerald, Janice and Dean, and Nancy, a daughter by choice.

His formal education ended with the 8th grade, but his practical education never ended. He was a general handy man and a hard working man. Much of his time was spent in the hilly woods of South West Wisconsin with his tool bucket and chainsaw, cutting heating wood, logs and pin oak for bowling pins. His later working years were spent in factory work at Prentice Hydraulics and Argyle Industries. After retiring he spent some time working for the Dove Creek Implement. Don always kept himself neatly dressed, clean and shaved. He went to church as a Seventh-day Adventist every Saturday with his family. He always enjoyed playing his harmonica and jews harp at family gatherings and singing his favorite songs. He taught his kids and grandkids to work hard, do a good job and always put things away when you were done with them.

He and Esther have lived in many location including WI, SD, CO, OR, and TN and then moved back to Colorado in 1999 to be near their daughter and son-in-law. Don was a resident of the Dove Creek area for 6 ½ years and of Paradox for the last 6 years.

Preceding him in death were his parents, sisters, Gwen and Dorothy, his son-in-law, Terry Dicken, a daughter-in-law, Sue Minett, and one great granddaughter, Kaylin Minett. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Esther (Johnson) Minett of Paradox, CO, his five children, Doug (Janet) of Rosalia, WA, Jerry (Illona) of Portage, WI, Janice Dicken of Paradox, CO, Dean (Marcia) of Newberry, MI, Nancy (Duane) McEndree of Zephyrhills, FL, brother Alton Minett of Sacramento, CA, sister Meredeth Mlsna of Madison, WI, 9 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He will be missed by so many!. 1)

1) Thanks to Janet Minett for the information and pictures.
http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/m/i/n/Janet--Minett/GENE11-0006.html