Donald William Donahue

Donald William 'Red' Donahue, 98 of Minot, North Dakota passed away on June 19, 2019 while receiving medical care at the Pioneer Medical Center in Big Timber, Montana. Don was born prematurely at the family home on Sept. 17, 1920. He was the fourth of 9 children born to Francis "Frank" and Loretta (Mahoney) Donahue in Minot, where he grew up and was educated. He attended St. Leos school starting the 1st grade the year the school opened. After high school Don worked for the Great Northern Railway. One of his jobs was painting the R.R. bridge at Trestle Valley with a paint brush. He joined the Navy, serving on the USS Latimer in the South Pacific until the end of WWII. He received an Honorable Discharged on April 25, 1946. He returned to Minot where he worked at Dakota Electric until 1949. After that he hired on with the Minot Post Office as a city mail carrier where he worked for 33 years, retiring in 1983. While delivering mail, Don made many friends young and old, and long after he retired you could ask him where someone on his old route lived, and he was able to remember their address just as if they were family.Don married Beverly ONeill, his wife of 66 years on Oct. 4, 1952 at St. Leos Catholic Church. Together they raised 7 children, Francis "Frank" Michelle, Kevin, Maureen, Patrick, Richard and Colleen. He was a devoted husband and father who had unending patience with his children. To quote Don on family and life hed always say, "the main thing is never get excited." He was a supporting parent of both St. Leos Grade School and Bishop Ryan High School. His life revolved around his love of God and the Catholic Church, his family, helping others, sports, and working outdoors. Don had a quick wit, a kind heart, enjoyed people, loved to laugh and kept his since of humor up until the end.He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, The Catholic War Veterans, Letter Carriers Association, and was a charter member of the Minot Celtic Heritage Society.Survivors: wife Beverly; sons Frank (Sandy) Wilsall, MT, Kevin Minot, ND, Richard Bozeman, MT; daughters, Michelle (Doug) Landers Wilsall, MT, Colleen Wright Longview, TX; 7 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Claire (Terry) Courneya, FL.He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis Albert and Mary Loretta Donahue; siblings, Ellen Vollbrecht, Thomas, Joseph, Mary Clotfelter, James, Patrick, Clarence "Prunie;" daughter, Maureen Greenfield; son, Patrick, and grandson, Josh Landers.Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, July 13 at 10 am in Our Lady of Grace Church, Minot; a Vigil Service will be the evening prior, Friday, July 12 at 5 pm in Our Lady of Grace Church, Minot. The burial will follow Mass at Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot, and a reception will be hosted at Our Lady of Grace Church following servicesFamily suggests memorials could go to: Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 707 16th Ave SW, Minot, ND 58701, Bishop Ryan Catholic School, 316 11th Ave NW, Minot, ND 58703 or St. Margarets Catholic Church, 39 View Vista Dr, Livingston, MT 59047.