Donald “Don” Carl Schieck, 88, of Fargo, North Dakota, and Park Rapids, Minnesota, died on Sunday, March 9, 2015, at the Rosewood Care Center in Fargo, North Dakota.

Donald was born on Feb. 14, 1927, in Waltham Township, in Mower County, Minnesota, the son of George and Emilie (Hussong) Schieck. He grew up and attended the Trinity Lutheran Parochial School in Waltham, Minnesota. His final two years of High School he and his brother Norman dormed in Austin, Minnesota, where he participated in wrestling and in his junior year he made it to the state tournament. He worked in the area as a carpenter for a year before enlisting into the US Navy in January of 1945. He served onboard a small aircraft carrier the USS Independence and the naval Landing Craft repair ship USS Egeria. Don participated in the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre during World War II, which included the Philippine liberation. Seaman first class Donald Schieck was honorably discharged from active duty December of 1947. He continued in the Naval Reserves until 1952. He attended the American Technical Society Carpentry School and graduated in 1951. He attained his Journeyman Carpenter rank later the same year. He was united in marriage to Clarice A. Gabrielson on Nov. 22, 1951 — Thanksgiving Day — in Grand Meadow, Minnesota. They settled in Austin, Minnesota, where Don began work in the carpenter and construction trade. They raised their four children in Austin. In 1972, Don changed careers and he began teaching carpentry and construction skills to students at the Hennepin Technical College in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. They lived in Bloomington, Minnesota, until 1983, when they moved to Burnsville, Minnesota. Don retired in 1992, and in 1994, after finishing their dream home on Portage Lake, they moved to Park Rapids, Minnesota.

They enjoyed their retirement years, keeping busy as active members of Calvary Lutheran Church, the Local Veterans Memorial Committee, lifetime member of the VFW and the Disabled Veterans. They were instrumental in establishing two new Sons of Norway Chapters — Lakeville, Minnesota, and Park Rapids, Minnesota, where they were charter members of both.

Don and Clarice enjoyed many summer days pontooning and fishing on Portage Lake. Don was also a longtime member of the Carpenters Union. Earlier in his life he belonged to the Civil Air Patrol. He was also a long-standing and faithful blood donor, and maintained an interest in DFL politics. He also served as the sports boosters chairperson while his children were involved in Austin school sports. Don became a significant member of the Local All Veterans Ceremonial Burial Team in the Park Rapids area, volunteering his time to present military honors for many local veteran funerals. Don’s family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the memory care staff at Rosewood Care Center in Fargo. His family would like to suggest memorials may be given to the Calvary Lutheran Church Building Fund or to the Park Rapids Veterans Memorial.

He is survived by his four children: Richard (Mary )Schieck of Sunburg, Minnesota, Ronald (Gloria) Schieck of Lakeville, Minnesota, Jeanine (Ross) Kvittem of Burnsville, Minnesota, Roberta (Greg) Lein of Moorhead, Minnesota; four grandchildren: Sarah Schieck, Adam Schieck, Rachel Herrild, Rebekah Schieck; two great-grandchildren; two brothers: Virgil (Verna) Schieck of Austin, Minnesota, Norman (Donna) Schieck of Austin, Minnesota.

Don was preceded in death by his parents George and Emilie Schieck; his wife Clarice in December of 2014; siblings: Alvin Schieck, Lawrence Schieck, Esther Johnson, and Erwin Schieck.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, 2015, at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Park Rapids, Minnesota, with visitation starting at 1 p.m. Pastor Sara Jensen will be the officiant. Military Honors will be provided by the Star of the North Marine Corp League honors team. Ray Vaadeland will play taps. Inurnment will be held at 12:45 p.m. Friday March 27, 2015, at the Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Mpls, Minnesota, followed by a reception to be held at the Fort Snelling Officers Club. Friends may leave online condolences at ceasefuneralhome.com. Cease Family Funeral Home has assisted the family with arrangements.