Karen D. Donth

“When I was younger, I was happy and then I got married, had kids and found out what happiness really was.” – Karen Donth

Karen David Donth was born on January 10, 1941 to Edward and Jennie (Nagel) Donth in Adrian, Minnesota. He resided in Magnolia, Minnesota his entire life. As a child, he was baptized at the Catholic Church and attended Magnolia Public School. He worked for his dad’s trucking, shelling, and baling business. He later began working for Dahlen Transport before finding his lifelong career in construction. He worked for Hallett Construction and Lorentz Construction companies. Karen enjoyed his career and mentoring junior drivers.  He drove millions of miles accident free and there were always great trucking stories about his co-workers to share with family and friends. On August 4, 2023, while at the Sanford USD Medical Center, Karen passed away surrounded by his loving family at the age of 82 years, 6 months, and 17 days.

Karen was a member of the Bethany Lutheran Church in Luverne, Minnesota and served on both the Magnolia City Council and the Magnolia Fire Department and Rescue. He took great pride in his Chevy pick-up and enjoyed spending time keeping it clean and taking it out for drives. He loved hamburgers and peanut butter cookies, snacks he often shared with his beloved dogs. He could often be found watching the Minnesota Vikings, Gunsmoke, and Mayberry RFD, as well as listening to Old Country Western Music and mowing his lawn. What he loved more than anything else, though, was his family and they all felt his love for them.

Left to cherish Karen’s memory are his beloved wife of 63 years, Mary Donth of Magnolia, Minnesota; children Lori (Butch) Fletcher of Worthington, Minnesota; Peggy Donth of Apple Valley, Minnesota; David “Toby” Donth of Luverne, Minnesota; Mark Donth of Mankato, Minnesota; and Troy (Lisa) Donth of Good Thunder, Minnesota; grandchildren Alexander (Kayla) Donth and Nicholas Donth; great-grandchild Leo Donth; and sister-in-law Kim Donth of Luverne, Minnesota; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Jennie Donth; sister and brother-in-law Marjorie and Harold Smook; brother and sister-in-law Peter and Shirley Donth; brother Paul Donth; and infant brother Myron Donth.