Donald Wayne Brekke

Donald W. Brekke age 89 of Detroit Lakes, MN died March 4, 2013 at his residence, under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley. Donald Wayne Brekke was born on March 4, 1924 in Ridgeway, Iowa to Anton and Alice Gullickson Brekke. He was baptized on April 20, 1924 at Lincoln Lutheran Church in Ridgeway, Iowa. The Brekke family moved to West Fargo, ND in 1936. Don was confirmed at Faith Lutheran Church in West Fargo. He graduated from West Fargo High School in 1941. He served in the U. S. Marine Corp. during WWII, from 1943-1945 in the 3rd Amtrac Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. On June 28, 1947 he was united in marriage to Delores Jean Burgess in Moorhead, MN. They made their home in West Fargo. Don graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN in 1949. He worked with his father and uncle in Brekke Brothers Grocery Store in West Fargo and later owned and operated that store which became Brekke's Super Fair. In 1976 Don started working for Nash Finch as a Meat Merchandiser. He retired in 1987 and he and Jean moved to Floyd Lake in 1988. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary at the lake with their family last June. Don was a former member of the West Fargo Fire Dept. and the West Fargo Lions Club. He enjoyed traveling, big band music, and was an avid MN Twins fan. He also enjoyed time spent at the lake with his family, and attending his children's and grandchildren's sporting events. He is survived by his wife, Jean; three sons, David (Alice) Brekke, of Grand Forks, ND; Dennis (Kris) Brekke, of Maple Grove, MN; and Daniel (Lori Jo) Brekke, of West Fargo, ND; seven grandchildren, Ellen Orr, Peter Brekke, Andrea Brekke, Alyssa Brekke, Matthew Brekke, Carlie Larson, and Tara Brekke; one great granddaughter, Bailey Orr; and one sister, Doris Hansen, of Burnsville, MN. He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Leah Brekke; one sister Muriel Sullivan; and his parents.