Age 83 of Inver Grove Heights

Don E. Richardson, age 83, of Inver Grove Heights Minnesota, formally of Arkansaw Wisconsin, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on December 3rd, 2021.

Don was born on February 12, 1938, in Waterville township, Wisconsin to loving parents Charles and Elda (Tulip) Richardson. Don was the ninth of ten children and always spoke fondly of his childhood and the memories created on the family farm.  He graduated from Arkansaw High School in 1956. Soon after, Don met the love of his life and best friend, Karol Weissinger, at the Recreational Hall in Arkansaw Wisconsin. They were married 61 years.

One of Don’s greatest passions in life was driving a truck. He was lucky enough to establish a lifelong career in this and enjoyed every day he went to work. Throughout his career he had the opportunity to visit the lower 48 and most of Canada. Don started down this path as soon as he was old enough to have a driver’s license by hauling milk. Then in his early twenties, he became a self-taught over-the-road semi driver and had a successful first haul along the East Coast and to New York City. When his kids were young, Don drove locally for Holiday. Once his kids were older, he took a job for Wayne Transport which was arguably his favorite position. Throughout the course of his career, he was an owner-operator of many semis including his preferred make, Peterbilt!

Although he loved his career, Don’s favorite job was as a dad and grandpa. He and Karol raised their two children, Kyle and Kay, in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. From road trips together to family nights in, Don and Karol created many wonderful memories with their kids. Once Kyle and Kay were grown, Don not so subtly asked for grandchildren by giving a baby name book to Kay as a wedding gift. His wish was granted! He had three loving grandchildren, Leah, Krista, and Jay. Don built precious memories with them by spending time around the table playing games (cabin rules applied), giving “cow-kisses”, or reminiscing about good times with a twinkle in his eyes.

When Don retired, his truck had over a million miles on it! His steering wheel hung proudly in his home for all to see. In retirement, Don continued his passion for driving by working for Durand Public Schools as a school bus driver. He particularly enjoyed his time driving for the local Amish communities.

Besides trucking, one of Don’s lifelong passions was collecting. From beer cans, marble eggs, and belt buckles, to a wide range of movies and music, Don found many treasures over the years. Some of his favorites included music by Luke the Drifter and any movie with John Wayne. Don’s collections grew through attending auctions with his son-in-law, Mark, where their families never knew what they would come home with.

Don’s family loved him unconditionally but never quite understood his odd food cravings or colorful taste in fashion. There always needed to be yellow-mustard sardines and Vienna sausages in the pantry. He also loved aged German Brick cheese, which he was not allowed to keep in the house due to its smell–though he would remind anyone who questioned his tastes, “You don’t eat with your nose!” One time, Don convinced his grandchildren to try some of his favorite cheese. Needless to say, they didn’t try it a second time.

Don always had a smile on his face and stories and jokes to share. Even in the last couple months of Don’s life, when he was on hospice, he continued to make memories with friends and family. He treasured visits with anyone who walked through his door, often asking, “Who’s coming to see me today?” Don’s family thanks Brookdale Hospice Care for their exceptional and compassionate care and support during his last months.

Don was a wonderful and loving husband, dad, grandpa and friend. He was a kind-hearted and friendly guy who will be missed deeply by all who knew him. Don’s family takes comfort in knowing he and Karol are waltzing across Heaven together and he is peacefully enjoying all his favorite tunes including “What a Wonderful World”. He is preceded in death by his parents Charles and Elda (Tulip); wife Karol; sisters Margaret Rasmussen, Lorraine Arthur, Faye Ingli, and Barbara Klemetson; brothers Cyril, Bernard, Rex, Dean, and Rodney Richardson; and granddaughter Krista Rolfzen.

Don is survived by his loving family; son Kyle, daughter Kay (Mark) Rolfzen, grandchildren Leah (Shane) DeSantis, Jay Rolfzen (Maria Gaertner); several nieces, nephews, extended family, and many friends.

Service will be held at a later date with an internment at Arkansaw Memorial Cemetery in Arkansaw, Wisconsin.