Donald Luvern Meier, 84, of Brownsdale, Minn., passed away peacefully on Sept. 13, 2012, at Sterling House in Owatonna, Minn., surrounded by his loving family.

“Don” was born on May 4, 1928, in rural Sargeant, Minn., to Louis and Ileta (VanRiper) Meier. His family moved to Brownsdale to the family farm in 1937. He attended Brownsdale Elementary School and graduated from Austin High School in 1946. On April 22, 1949, Don was united in marriage to Shirley Jean Jukes. They moved back to the family farm in 1955, where he was a dairy and crop farmer. Together they were blessed with three children, Tim, Janelle, and Susan. Don was an active member of Our Savior Lutheran Church of Brownsdale, the Brownsdale Fire Department for 35 years, the Board of Directors at the Brownsdale elevator, Associated Milk Producers Incorporated and the Mower County Mounted Posse. He was also active in the Brownsdale 4-H Club and he was a 13-gallon blood donor to the American Red Cross. His greatest passion was working with his horses and giving carriage and sleigh rides. His greatest joy was spending time with his family. Don also enjoyed farming, horseback trail-riding, dancing, attending the sporting events of his grandchildren, visiting with friends and making new acquaintances.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Shirley Meier of Brownsdale; a son Tim (Kriss) Meier of Owatonna; daughters Janelle Kramer of Rochester, Minn., and Susan (Mike) Ziegler of Lincoln, Neb.; nine grandchildren, Kara Martin, Kjersten (Alex) Loeffler, Mark (Amy) Meier, Matt Meier, Jon Ziegler (fiancé Audrey Curtis), Dan Ziegler, Kelli (Austin) Thoms, Kyle Ziegler and Kellen Kramer; five great-grandchildren, Hunter, Madelynn, Chase, Samantha, and Siri; sisters Marlis (LeRoy) Buland, MaryLou (Duane) Maxfield and brother Merrill (Bonnie) Meier, all of Austin; sister Donna Lane of Fremont, Neb.; sisters-in-law Nellie Wanous of Brownsdale and Marcine Jukes of Austin; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and special friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Louis and Ileta Meier.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Brownsdale, with the Rev. Jeffery Sage officiating. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 on Saturday, Sept. 15 at Worlein Funeral Home in Austin. Interment to follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Brownsdale. Memorials are preferred to Our Savior Lutheran Church. Condolences can be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.