Donald Rollin Stilwell Sr., 90, of Austin, Minn., died Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012, at Stewartville Care Center in Stewartville, Minn.

Donald was born Oct. 11, 1922, in Owatonna, Minn., to Rollin and Mary (Peters) Stilwell. He grew up in Owatonna, and then moved to Rochester in 1938, graduating from Rochester High School in 1941. On March 25, 1942, Don married Mary Elaine Laack in St. Paul, Minn. They had five children. Mary passed away at age 45 in 1970.

On Oct. 2, 1971, Don married Shirley (Dugstad) Brandt at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Shirley passed away in 2003. Don was employed by the Hormel Foods Corporation for 45 1/2 years, beginning in 1942. He worked various union jobs until 1948, at which time he became foreman of the gelatin department. In 1961 he became a food technologist in research and development, formulating dessert products. Don retired from Hormel in 1987. An active member of the Austin Aerie No. 703 Eagles organization for many years, Don held the office of District 5 president, state president, and four-state regional president. He entered the State Eagles Hall of Fame in 1985.

Survivors include his children, Don Jr. (Karen) Stilwell of Austin, Barb (Gary) Heimer of Nisswa, Minn., David (Cheryl) Stilwell of Chaska, Minn., Mary Lou Johnson of Stewartville, Patty (Jim) Urlick of Austin; 15 grandchildren, Deryk (Lisa) Stilwell, Jeff (Connie) Stilwell, Mark (Mari) Stilwell, Sara Moe, Anne (Al) Bergersen, Cathy (Kevin) Cunningham, Mary Heimer-Paulson, Teresa (Mike) Shaw, Matt (Jill) Stilwell, Ryan (Holly) Stilwell, Lisa (Mike) Wolf, Kevin (Jennifer) Johnson, Mike (Ashley) Urlick, Ryan (Anna) Urlick and Joseph Urlick; and 28 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rollin and Mary Stilwell; his wife, Mary, in 1970; his second wife, Shirley, in 2003; two brothers, Ervin and Bert; two sisters, Frances Carter and LaDean Nelson. Don will be remembered for his sense of humor and love of his family. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and caregivers.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 10, 2012, at St. Augustine Catholic Church with Father Jim Steffes and Father Paul Nelson co-officiating. Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, at Worlein Funeral Home in Austin and one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. There will be a 4 p.m. prayer service at the funeral home on Sunday. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in Austin. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.