Donald Lyle Fenton Sr, age 74 of Ellsworth, died November 28, 2021 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Red Wing. Donald was born on February 1, 1947 in Grand Meadow, Minnesota; the son of Richard and Dorothy (Wagner) Fenton. He was raised in Grand Meadow where he graduated from high school. He enlisted in the Armed Forces where he proudly served in the United States Navy. Shortly after that, he met and fell in love with Sharon Kay Tolner. In 1968, Sharon and Donald were married in Winterhaven, California. To this union, four children were born.
Donald worked for Wonder Bread in Pomona, California and attended The American Institute of Baking in Kansas City, Kansas to further his career of thirty-five years. He also worked for the Donut Shop in Phelan, California for many years before working as a chef for Treasure Island. Most recently, he worked in the bakery at Nilssen’s Food in Ellsworth.
Donald loved food, but more importantly preparing it for family gatherings. He was a gifted baker as everyone enjoyed his creations. Outside of baking, he thoroughly enjoyed the outdoors. The family had many fun memories camping and fishing at various state parks throughout the United States. He also enjoyed deep sea fishing in Long Beach, California. He was a talented carpenter who enjoyed woodworking.
Donald will live on in our hearts and memories. He leaves behind four wonderful children; Donald L. Fenton Jr. (Heather) of Cornell, Jonathan Fenton of Plainview, MN, April D. Mord (Todd) of Ellsworth, Cheryl Kay Fenton (Jordan Strusz) of Hager City; sixteen grandchildren, many great grandchildren; siblings Tim (Sandy) Fenton of Grand Meadow, Jackie Fenton Gronvold (Frank Luna) of Rochester, Mike (Donna) Fenton of Arizona; brother-in-law Donald Tolner; and his sister-in-law Koreen Fenton. He has joined his parents Richard & Dorothy Fenton; brother Ricky Fenton; and grandson Herbert ‘Ray Ray’ Hoover in heaven.
A Celebration of Life for Donald Fenton will be Saturday, December 18th from 1pm to 3pm with a prayer service to conclude at 3pm at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home in Ellsworth. Memorials are preferred to the discretion of the family. Interment will be St. Finbarr’s Cemetery in Grand Meadow, Minnesota. Funeral and cremation services have been entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Ellsworth.
