Donald “Don” Vancura

Published June 22, 2020 at 11:14 PM

Donald “Don” Vancura, 55, passed away on Saturday, June 20, 2020, at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, ND.

Donald Allen Vancura was born on March 12, 1965 to Joseph and Rosella (Glackin) Vancura in Lakefield, MN. Don was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Lakefield. He attended the University of Minnesota-Morris, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Business.

On September 12, 1987, Don married Carol Olson in Huron, South Dakota.

After getting married, Don worked for Schwan’s in Lynchburg, VA as a sales rep. Don moved to Sioux Falls, SD, and during that time he worked for various employers. From 1993 to 1995, Don managed the Rent-2-Own store in Litchfield, MN. In 1995, Don and Carol moved to Barnesville, MN. He was the manager of the Rent-2-Own store and later owned and operated a Dollar Discount store in Fargo. Since 2007, Don has been employed at Menards, working in the Fargo and Moorhead stores.

Don was a member of the Knights of Columbus in both Litchfield and Barnesville and served as Grand Knight in Barnesville. He was active in church and loved cooking burgers for the church stand at the Steam Thresher’s Reunion in Rollag. Playing softball, coaching softball and t-ball, and serving on the Barnesville School Board were also things Don enjoyed and participated in. Don and his wife founded the Barnesville Aces Junior Olympic Volleyball Club in which he coached to share his love of volleyball. He loved camping, fishing (catching the big one), playing Cribbage, and cooking, but above all he loved his family.

Helping others was something that was close to Don’s heart. Don gave throughout his life and continued after his passing by donating his beautiful blue eyes and tissue.

Don is survived by his wife, Carol, of Barnesville; three children: Addrienne, Holly, and Eric; siblings: Delbert (Vicki) Vancura, Joyce (Bruce) Kiehn, Jean (Russ) Barkeim, and Randy (Shawna) Vancura; sisters-in-law, Bonnie Schafer, Cherry (Willis) Hunter, Dawn (John) Coughlin, and brother-in-law, Kirk Olson; and numerous nieces and nephews, close friends and many daycare children and families.

Preceding Don in death are his parents, Joseph and Rosella; Carol’s parents, Don and Betty Olson; brother, Gery Vancura; sister-in-law, Connie Olson; and his nephew, Josh Schafer.

Visitation will be Thursday, June 25 beginning at 5:30 with a prayer service at 7:30 in the Assumption Catholic Church, Barnesville. Visitation will continue 1 hour prior to the funeral on Friday.

Funeral Services will be Friday, June 26 at 11 AM, at the church, with Father Todd Arends presiding. Burial will be at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Lakefield, MN on Monday, June 29.

Remembrances and condolences can be shared at www.dobmeierfuneralhome.com