Memorial Trees
S
Sarah, Mary Kate, Ashley
July 08, 2025
A
Anonymous
July 06, 2025
R
Rich and Sharon
July 06, 2025
T
The Corporate Mechanical Team
July 05, 2025
A
Anonymous
July 04, 2025
B
Ben and Carmen Wollitz
July 04, 2025
Memorial trees planted for:
Daniel Nicholas Jaeger
<p><p>Daniel Nicholas Jaeger</p><p>March 21, 1935 – June 30, 2025</p><p><br></p><p>Daniel Nicholas Jaeger, known to family and friends as Don, passed away at the age of 90 on June 30, 2025. He was born in Hankinson, North Dakota, on March 21, 1935, to Anna and Peter Jaeger, who had immigrated from Austria to create a better life for Don and his nine siblings. They planted the roots of a family that would grow strong through Don and the generations that followed.</p><p><br></p><p>Don was a man full of stories, spirited debates, and a generous heart. He met the love of his life, Lois Gaukler, in Hankinson when he kindly helped her carry water from the outdoor well into the house next door. It was a simple act that sparked a lifelong love. Don and Lois moved to Minneapolis, and Don would often say he “took her off the farm.” Together, they built a life in the city, raising their children, Michelle (Ian), Greg, Paul, Nicole (Jeff), Peter (Bridget), and Danielle (Andrew), also including family members Margaret and Kerri. He was a proud and devoted grandfather to fifteen grandchildren: Jared, Ethan, Rachel, Danny, Anna, Sam, Quinn, Katie, Jack, Emme, Nick, Kennedy, Edith, Olive, and Agatha.</p><p><br></p><p>Don loved to tell stories, and being a staunch Democrat, he never shied away from a good political debate, especially if it meant stirring the pot. Don worked as a sheet metal worker for 40 years and maintained his union membership in Sheet Metal Workers Local Union 10 for 68 years. His career consisted of working on commercial buildings throughout the Twin Cities area, and he would happily point out the building that he helped construct. After Don retired, he assisted Lois in taking care of children at their in-home daycare, where his specialties included nap time, washing dishes, spider hunting, and DWD or Donuts with Don.</p><p><br></p><p>Don enjoyed taking trips throughout North Dakota, hunting and fishing with his sons and many other family members. A favorite annual trip of his was pheasant hunting in Mott, North Dakota. He spent countless hours driving children and grandchildren to their various activities. It would not be odd to find him napping in the car while Lois shopped at Dayton's. He loved the simple pleasures in life: a cold pop, a fresh apple fritter and a Dum-Dum sucker. In recent years, he loved walking the neighborhood and talking to the neighbors. Whether it was family members, neighbors, or someone he just met, he was at his best telling a story and making you laugh.</p><p>A celebration of Don’s life will be held on Friday, July 11, 2025, at Saint Olaf Catholic Church, located at 215 S 8th St, Minneapolis, MN 55402. The viewing will be from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., with the service from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Luncheon to follow at St. Olaf. Please join us and bring your best Don story! If you are unable to join, a livestream of the service is available at https://www.saintolaf.org/funerals A private burial will be held in Hankinson, ND.</p><p><br></p><p>The family encourages you to honor Don in a way he would’ve loved by telling a story, making someone laugh, and opening a two-liter of Pepsi, or generic cola which is what he really liked.</p><p><br></p><p>In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be sent to the family, which will be redirected to St. Philip's Catholic Church in Hankinson, North Dakota.</p><p><a href="https://stphilipshankinson.org/online-giving" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://stphilipshankinson.org/online-giving</a></p><p><br></p><p>This historic church, where Don attended daily Mass with his father, was recently damaged by fire and is in need of restoration. Supporting its repair would be a deeply meaningful tribute, preserving a place that shaped Don’s early life and faith, and ensuring it remains a spiritual home for generations to come.</p><p><br></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="https://www.GILLBROTHERS.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.GILLBROTHERS.com</a></p></p>March 21, 1935 - June 30, 202503/21/193506/30/2025
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