Donald R. Staley
Friday, October 16, 1936
Date of Death:
Thursday, January 16, 2025
Age:
88 years old
Friday, October 16, 1936
Date of Death:
Thursday, January 16, 2025
Age:
88 years old
Friday, October 16, 1936
Date of Death:
Thursday, January 16, 2025
Age:
88 years old
Donald R. Staley
Donald Roger (Don) Staley – Rochester, Minnesota
Donald Roger Staley, 88, of Rochester, Minnesota died Thursday, January 16, 2025, at Charter House Hospice after a brief, but courageous, battle against leukemia.
Don was born October 16, 1936, in Madison, Wisconsin to LeRoy and Mary (Slattery) Staley. In 1954, he was introduced to the love of his life, Helen Dvorak, through his brother Bob Staley and her brother Dick Dvorak. Two years later, on June 23, 1956, Don and Helen were married at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Monona, Wisconsin.
Don worked in the commercial construction business his entire career. He started as a brick mason and grew his career into construction management. He oversaw the construction and development of many commercial properties throughout the United States. He was very proud to have been the Olmsted County Construction Manager for the construction of Government Center in Rochester. After completion of the Government Center, he concluded his long career as a commercial real estate agent. Don was an active member of The Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Rochester where he invested many years as a dedicated volunteer.
Don and Helen lived in Madison, Wisconsin, Dubuque, Iowa, and Prior Lake, Minnesota before settling in Rochester, a place they consider home.
Don loved family, faith, traveling, boating and fixing things. Most of all, he loved music and dancing. You would find Don and Helen twirling around the dance floor at any event that had a big band sound.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his five siblings. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Helen. Five children: Helen (David) Wagner, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania; Donald K. Staley, Des Moines, Iowa; Deborah (Chris) McGuire, Montgomery, Minnesota; Timothy Staley (Julie), Irvine, California; Patrick Staley (Michelle), Rosemount, Minnesota. Five grandchildren: Kerrick Staley, Sarah Staley, Kendall Staley, Helen Staley and Madeline Staley.
The Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at the Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist with Rev. Msgr. Gerald A. Mahon officiating. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts to be made to Rochester Eagle’s Cancer Telethon or your favorite non-profit.
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Condolences
The family of Donald R. Staley has received the following condolences.
Dear Helen,
Our deepest sympathy are expressed to you on this sad day of Don's funeral. We were hoping to attend but needed Clinic appts. got in our way. Our hearts go out to you in this great loss. We always loved running into you both in the Skyways. Always fun seeing Don's smiling face and what he had to say. We feel blessed that we have had the opportunity to have met you both when we were all in the dancing mode. So happy that our friends introduced you to us. Found out things in Don's obituary that we did not know and this was finding out that Bud and Don were only 6 mo. apart in age. Also interesting that you both were married exactly 1 week before we were in 1956. These were things we just never disgusted. We are praying now that God will comfort you and be with you always. May you hold onto the many memories you have had with your dear Don. We will be hoping to maybe see you in the skyways once in awhile.
Much LOVE to you,
Bud and Audrey
Helen,
My heart goes out to you & your family. Don was like a ray of sunshine in our neighborhood. He always greeted me with a kind & genuine smile, & made everyone he met feel special.
The two of you were a match made in Heaven. Losing your soul mate & life partner is harder than words can express. I had to say good bye to my beloved Roger 2 months ago after a long courageous battle with cancer. I always loved bumping into you guys at Thursdays on First by the main stage. It was sweet seeing the two of you dancing. You will be reunited again in Heaven. I bet there’s an amazing dance floor there.
Jocelyn (Lyn) Moen
Dear Don,
You sure will be missed, I’m so glad our family got to meet you and that you celebrate important Diego’s milestones with us.
we will watch over your beautiful lady and you watch over all of us.
love you,
the Flocks
Helen,
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. We are so grateful
for the friendship and rides to church you provided to Rick's mom Clara
when she moved to Rochester. It has been a pleasure to continue meeting
and visting with the two of you at all the dances and music venues.
Rick and Cheryl Renner
My prayers, thoughts, and sympathy to you Helen. I too remember Don's great smile and his ever-upbeat attitude; he would always make you comfortable and pleased when talking to him.
My father Roberto passed away on 1/15 in Italy; he was one year older than Don. May he and Don now meet and be delighted in each other's presence in the Father's house (my dad did speak a few words of English, and even though he was a lot more on the shy side, they'll have a good time together). I am confident that they'll become friends! We will all be friends, in the Father's house.
Blessings.
- Paolo
May your memories carry you through this sorrowful time. Don’s smile was always a ray of sunshine! Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Our sincere sympathy Helen, to you and your family. Thinking about you and Don, ALWAYS with that
great smile. What a terrific dancer you two were, and thanks to my sister Carol, she made it possible for
me to have a dance with Don. What a thrill.
Roberta and Harley Johnson
My sympathies to the Staley family. I met Don while he was overseeing the Government Center being built. He always greeted me with a smile and a hug. Even years later after the project was complete I would see him on rare occasions and he greeted me with the same friendly smile. He will truly be missed.
Deborah,
I was saddened to hear the news of your father. I wish you and your family peace at this tough time and am hoping fond memories of your father bring comfort.
Sally Gustafson
Art and I send our most sincere sympathy and empathy and are praying for peace and comfort for you and all of your family at the time of your father’s death. LIPEO, Jan Nelson
Sincerest condolences from Gavin, Sylwia and Arianna Oliver.
We have fond memories of an Aspens potluck in the Staley household not long after we arrived in the US. We felt welcomed like family.
I always loved bumping into Helen and Don walking around downtown, and stopping for a chat. It always brightened up a dull day.
Our hearts go out to you Helen, and your wider circle.
Don was the BEST neighbor ever! He and Helen would do anything to help us out. We were so blessed to have them as good friends too! He was a friend to many and losing him.is a great loss. RIP Don!