Donald Scovill
Tuesday, January 10, 1922
Date of Death:
Thursday, September 16, 2021
Age:
99 years old
Tuesday, January 10, 1922
Date of Death:
Thursday, September 16, 2021
Age:
99 years old
Tuesday, January 10, 1922
Date of Death:
Thursday, September 16, 2021
Age:
99 years old
Donald Scovill
Donald Scovill, 99 ½, of Rochester died Thursday, September 16th, 2021 at home.
Don was born January 10, 1922 on a Bonanza farm near Grandin, North Dakota to Maxwell and Roselyn (Weller) Scovill by a winterquist midwife while awaiting the Hillsboro doctor to arrive by horse and buggy coming after a snow storm.
He attended Grandin Public Schools and worked as a farmhand. He joined the Army Signal Corps and was involved in the Italian Campaign in September 1944. After finishing basic training, he married Beverly Steinle on March 8, 1945 in St. Paul, MN. After WWII the couple moved wherever Don could find work – from Ohio to Kentucky to the Dakotas, and northern Minnesota. When the oldest child started school, the family settled down in Revere, MN, near the Steinle grandparents. Don worked hard to provide for his family. He drove semi hauling new ramblers for Kenosha Auto Transport and worked as an electrician on the Garrison Dam in North Dakota, the iron range in northern Minnesota on taconite plants as a journeyman wireman union representative.
In 1967, the family moved to SE Minnesota, living in Byron and later to Rochester. Don took pride in the upkeep of his home and cars. He has a knack for fixing things. He kept his tool bench organized and ready to repair any item that needed it – from radios and washing machines to fans and bicycles to his childrens cars. Don enjoyed traveling and visiting with friends and relatives; he always had time for his grandchildren and loved interacting with his great grandchildren. His greatest love was for his wife, Bev.
He taught his children through example; how to be patient, generous, and to have a good work ethic. During retirement, he along with his wife, volunteered their time at the Dorothy Day House; delivered food to the needy; SE MN ombudsman for the elderly; and helped at the school district office organizing science kits, stuffing envelopes and whatever else needed to be done; along with traveling.
Survivors include his children, Michael Scovill of Rochester, Debra (Bruce) Berg of Storden, MN, Greg (Gloria) Scovill of Cushing, Wisconsin, Therese Cleveland of Greenville, SC, and Mary (Alan) Johnson of Murrieta, CA; 15 grandchildren and many great grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, beloved wife Bev, sister Norma, one grandson, and his son-in-law, Lloyd Cleveland.
The funeral Mass for Donald Scovill will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 25, 2021 at The Resurrection Catholic Church with Rev. Shawn Haremza officiating. Visitation will be half hour prior to the Mass at the church. A private burial will be held later at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Lamberton, MN.
Memorials are preferred to Dorothy Day Hospitality House 703 1st St SW, Rochester, MN 55902.
Condolences
The family of Donald Scovill has received the following condolences.
In the years to come, I may not remember many of the words my grandfather spoke, but the memories we shared will stay in my heart. He was an adventurous man who loved do be able to do what others thought was impossible. From maintaining automobiles to solving electrical issues in the house, grandpa was the go-to man in the family. When my car started to make noises, I called grandpa. When I had to make a big decision in life, I consulted my grandparents. He was soft spoken, a man of few words, and a great listener. He built confidence in others. At the age of fifteen, he gave me the keys to his car and guided me through LA during rush hour after that I was never afraid of heavy traffic. He taught me how to do things I did not think I could do. One of those times that I remember vividly is when he sat outside in the garage and instructed me how to change the brakes on my car.
Grandpa always loved new experiences. He came to visit me in Arizona many times and on those many trip he was always up for adventures and never let his age stop him from trying new things. Grandpa hiked up mountains with me at 84, and decided at the age of 88 to go skydiving with me and my mother. There are many more memories from my grandpa that I cherish, but maybe the most important of all is how he always made others feel comfortable and how he made them better.
As a young man attending college in Rochester I was invited and had the privilege of staying at the Scovill home in Byron. What a wonderful family, so generous and kind. To the children of Don and Beverley I send you my most heartfelt condolence, I will be thinking of all of you as you work through the loss of your father. Your generosity encourages others to be generous, your kindness encourages others to be kind, I hope I have lived up to the example set by your parents.
All my best to you. Ralph
Many good memories over the years with Don. Especially his help in working on my cars. I always enjoyed that time together. Also all the visits when we lived in CA and all the holidays when all the kids were little. Always loved it when Don broke out the ice cream in the evening and we’d have a big bowl with all the toppings.
We miss you Don!
Love,
Alan
Very sorry for your loss Mike. Reading his obituary his lasting tribute will be the great family he has left behind. I am sure he was proud and Mike you were a saint. God Bless y'all.
Don was a wonderful, long-time member of IBEW Local 343, and we are terribly sorry to learn of his passing. We were so impressed when he attended the 2018 Awards Banquet in Red Wing to receive his 70 year Membership Award. So impressive, and such a kind man. Our condolences to the family.
To Mary and family,
My deepest sympathy with loss of your dad. May you all find peace in all the memories you have in your hearts. Blessings to you all.
Eileen
Grandpa was a loving and attentive grandpa. One of my first memories is of him giving me a ride on his motorcycle down the street while I screamed to get off. As a very young child, I "helped" him clean up the yard, following him all around, while asking him lots of my "why" questions. Like, "why can't I play "house" in the red shed? I remember playing near him while he tinkered with electronics in the basement or in the garage. I was fascinated by his tape recorder. Grandpa and I use to sit next to his tape recorder while he recorded our conversations. Sometimes, probably weary from my constant chatter, he would "take five" on the living room floor. When we left the house from a visit, we were allowed to choose a soda from the basement fridge to my great delight. I always chose grape. Grandpa carried that tradition onto my oldest son, Robert. "Wow, a fridge full of soda!" Grandpa fixed up old bikes for me to ride in his neighborhood. Grandpa was a classy dresser just like Grandma. Never leaving the house without his fedora, and I certainly never saw him wear jeans. What I remember from that is that he gave his best work to everything down to how he dressed everyday. Grandpa was there for every big event in our lives. I am so blessed to have grandparents that centered their lives around their marriage, children, and grandchildren. Grandpa and Grandma lived selflessly, patiently, and generously. They were faithful stewards of God's good gifts. Rest in peace, Grandpa. Psalm 16:11 "Thou will show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; in they right hand are pleasures forevermore."