Donald Mjoen

Donald Leroy Mjoen, 89, of Crookston, MN passed away on Saturday June 28, 2025 at his home.

Don was born in Fosston, MN on August 9, 1935 to Lloyd and Anne Arneson Mjoen. He was baptized at Hope Lutheran Church in Fosston. Don attended school in Fosston until 1942 when the family moved to Crookston. He was confirmed with the last class of the old Trinity Lutheran Church in Crookston and was a member of the present Trinity Lutheran Church. He served on various church committees and ushered at early services.

Don attended public school in Crookston until his graduation in 1953. He enjoyed playing basketball, football, and golf for CHS. He was president of the 1953 CHS senior class, president of the Letterman's Club. Don was employed in the summers during the school years as a caddy at Minakwa Golf Course in Crookston. He also worked one summer for the Polk County Highway Department and three summers for the Minnesota Highway Department during his school years. In October 1953 he married "the love of his life" Marlene (Mickie) Acker in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. They settled in Crookston where they raised five children, Diana, Michael, Debra, Mark, and Dawn. Sadly, Diana passed away in 2011.

Don was employed by Saul Motor Company from September 1953 until May 1964, Salem Motor Company from May 1964 until 1972. He worked for Prudential Insurance Company from 1972 until 1993 and upon retiring, he returned as a salesman at Salem Motors from 1995 until 2000. Don loved the car business; he and Bud Salem attended many car auctions in Minneapolis and they often claimed to have traveled almost every road in Minnesota!

The family enjoyed summers at Maple Lake for over 20 years and Don loved anything about golfing and especially the time spent with this golfing buddies, his sons, and grandsons. He enjoyed fishing trips and golfing trips. Don and Marlene enjoyed cruises and also went on bus tours to many of the states. In retirement they traveled south to Texas or Arizona for many years and enjoyed attending Crookston Days in Arizona. Don loved getting behind the wheel and they both enjoyed short road trips in their last years together.

Don is preceded in death by his wife, Marlene Mjoen; daughter, Diana "DeeDee" Stadem; parents, Lloyd and Anne; brother, Robert "Bob" Mjoen, brothers-in-law, Larry Bendickson and Bruce Walter, great-grandson, Dylan Hoffman.

Don is survived by his children, Michael (Gretchen) Mjoen of Eden Prairie, Debra (Ron) Kroll of East Grand Forks, Mark Mjoen of Circle Pines, Dawn (Tony) Manetta of Long Island City, NY; son-in-law, Paul Stadem of East Grand Forks; 9 grandchildren, Nicholas (Katie) Stadem, Erica Stadem, Andrea (AJ) Hoffman, Zachary (Katy) Kroll, Zerek (Allyson) Kroll, Allison (Sam) Burrows, Kjel (Jessica) Mjoen, Kyle Mjoen , Grace Manetta; great-grandchildren, Maisie Stadem, Quinn Stadem, Aaron Hoffman, Luke Kroll, Leo Kroll, Camille Mjoen; sister-in-law, Betty Mjoen of Donna TX; sister, Jerrice Bendickson of San Jose, CA; brother-in-law, Richard (Darlene) Acker of Surprise, AZ; sister-in-law, Coleen (Bruce) Walter of Merridan, ID and many nephews and nieces, and dear friend, Shirley Salem.

Memorial Arrangements are currently pending.