Donald George Piekarski

Donald George Piekarski, 79, of International Falls, MN, died on Monday, May 23, 2022 at Essentia Health - St. Mary's Medical Center, Duluth, MN. Donald was born September 25, 1942 in Littlefork, Minnesota to Mathilda and Tony Piekarski. He went to both the Catholic school and International Falls School. Don and Karen (Forsythe) married on May 22, 1965 in International Falls. Don was fun, loving, liked to tell jokes, and loved to party and dance. He was a good fisherman and loved taking his kids and grandkids fishing at his home on Rainy River where they usually caught their limits. He enjoyed deer hunting with his kids and grandkids at his hunting shack. He enjoyed playing hockey and was a goalie. He played with a senior men’s team called the “Piekarski Construction Team.” This team even played the Sandstone Prison inmates. He then played in Alaska and with the “Y Old Bucks” at Pelland Junction. He and his wife, Karen, wintered in Lake Havasu, AZ for 17 years. He liked to do dinners in his park. He was famous for his “Don’s Porketta.” He enjoyed playing poker with the guys in the park. He was a meatcutter for National Tea, a meat manager for Safeway in Williams, AZ and Bashes in Phoenix, AZ. He was also a meatcutter in Anchorage, Alaska. He managed and owned Don’s Meats in International Falls. He processed many, many deer. He was a meat manager at Littlefork Grocery until he was injured and had to retire. He suffered with Alzheimer’s in his later years, but he still liked to joke and could still play cards. Don influenced young men and women about fishing and he was a great teacher. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was loved and he will be missed very much. He was preceded in death by his parents; baby twin brother, Ronald; sister, Diana; brother-in-law, Leroy Tveit; and brother, John. Donald is survived by his wife, Karen; sons, Dean (Dawn), Doug (friend, Robyn); daughters, Debrene (Larry) Lepage, Katherine Olson; twelve grandchildren, Destiny, Danielle, Andrew, Jourdan, Elena, Dustin, Seth, Casey, Weston, Charleigh, Gannon, and Alec; eight great-grandchildren; brother, Bob (Jaci) Piekarski; sister-in-law, Dolores Weiberg; brothers-in-law, Poncho (Val) Forsythe, Dick (Liz) Forsythe; and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at Zion Lutheran Church in International Falls at 11:00 AM. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service with a luncheon to follow the service. Interment will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in International Falls.