Donald James Sinjem passed away peacefully at The Willows of Arbor Lakes

on January 3, 2026 after a long battle with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

Don was born December 14, 1936 in Duluth, MN to Chester Cornelius

Sinjem and Margaret Sarah (Hurney) Sinjem. He graduated from Duluth

Cathedral High School. Don served honorably and proudly in the U.S. Army.

He married Barbara Josephine Miller at St. Anthony’s Church in Duluth and

they raised four sons. Don worked for Firestone, owning his own store until

his retirement in the early 80’s.

After Barb’s passing, Don married Catherine M Lapointe at Mount Olivet

Lutheran Church in Plymouth, MN on October 13, 1990. They spent 35

years devoted to each other and together they raised their grandson, Zak.

Don had a contagious chuckle and a twinkle in his eye. He enjoyed watching

the Vikings, Wild and Twins as well as watching his boys and grandchildren

play sports. We know in spirit he will be on the sidelines rooting for his great

grandchildren.

Don is preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Barb, his sisters Joan

Hawkins and Mary Sinjem, his brother, Dale, his son Scott, and his sister-in-

law Nancy (Miller) Needham.

He is survived by his wife Catherine; children, Steve (Jackie), Chuck (Mary),

Todd (Kim), grandchildren, Chelsea, Tali, Stephanie, Taylor, Darby, Tanner,

Sofie, Hogan, Lola, Hannah and Sam, stepsons Andy (Jennifer) Czerniak,

Mark Czerniak, step grandchildren Rebecca, Matthew, Courtney and Zak,

great grandchildren Charlie, Gianna, Charlotte and Scarlet, brother-in-law

Ken Hawkins, sister-in-laws Patty Dudy, Cindy Wenkiewicz and Connie

Brown and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Special Thank You to Tamara, Therese, Linda and all the Health Care and

Hospice Providers who have helped Don and his family during his battle with

Parkinson's and Alzheimer’s.

A Memorial Mass for Don will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 17,

2026 at St. Joseph The Worker Catholic Church in Maple Grove. Luncheon

to follow, visitation from 10:00 to 11:00. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the

Parkinson's or Alzheimer's Foundations