Donald Krabbenhoft

Donald Krabbenhoft, 75, passed away June 5 at Ave Maria Village in Jamestown, ND under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Donald Lewis Krabbenhoft was born December 23, 1941, to Ernest,Jr., and Frances (Lewis) Krabbenhoft in Fargo, ND. He grew up on the family farm near Sabin, MN and attended schools in Sabin, Moorhead, and Northwest School of Agriculture, Crookston, MN.

Donald served honorably in the US Navy from 1961-1965. He attended Diesel School and served aboard the USS Muliphen as an engine man. Upon return to this area he worked as a mechanic, family farm hand, electrician, and as a Superintendent at Kost Bros, Inc., Moorhead, MN. He was an award-winning insurance salesman in Iowa and worked in black-top construction, owning Krabbenhoft Asphalt of San Jacinto, CA from 1985-1993. He retired to MN in 1993, focusing on AA sponsorship and helping people know their Higher Power.

February 18, 1994, Donald married Julie (Hough) Raknerud in Moorhead, MN. They moved to rural Downer where he practiced his construction skills on their home and served as an Elkton Township supervisor from 1999-2007.

Donald is survived by his wife, Julie, of Barnesville, a son Randy (Shauna) of Lauderdale, MN, step-daughter Kristin Raknerud Anderson of Barnesville, and step-grandsons Cody and Jesse Anderson, Fargo, ND; brothers Ernest III (Betty) of Amenia, ND, and Charles (Denise) Krabbenhoft, Sabin, MN; sisters Carolyn Pankow of Castle Rock, CO, and Kathryn (Mark) Gunderson, Larkspur, CO, and several nephews and nieces.

Medical issues complicated Donald's life his last years. He is to be remembered for his mechanical aptitude to make any vehicle run and the know-how so whatever he built would last.

May his strengths be celebrated and his flaws forgiven.

Memorial Service: 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 1, 2017 at Faith Love Hope church in Moorhead, MN.
Inurnment: Elkton Cemetery near Downer, MN.

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