Donald "Ol' Grizzly" L Kottschade

Donald Louis Kottschade, 78, of Winona passed away on Friday January 15, 2016 after a recent diagnosis of ALS (Lou Gerhig disease).
He was born February 13, 1937, in Wabasha, MN, to William and Mae (Schones). He married Sharon Hudson on Oct. 12, 1968 at St. Josephs Catholic Church in Theilman.
He was preceded in death by his parents; 2 children; 1 grandchild; 4 brothers; and 2 sisters.
He is survived by his loving wife Sharon (Hudson); children Marthamae Kottschade of Rochester, Mn , Donna (Gene) Smith,of LakeNebagamon,Wi, Donald "Jr" (Stephanie)of Ramsey,MN. 10 grandchildren Marshall (Alissa) Brennan, Zachary Smith, Casandra (Brad) Cave, Isaiah Smith, Marandamae Brennan, Makayle (Lesha) Brennan, Theodore, Josiah, Jackson, Lexington Kottschade; 8 great-grandchildren; brother Franklin (Bonnie)of Rochester,Mn; sister-in-law Gladys Holm of Coon Rapids,Mn; and long time "buddy" chihuahua named Lil' Grizzly.
Over the years his strong work ethic took him through many diverse trades. He sheared sheep and worked in the packing plants of South St. Paul. He worked construction on such projects as building the Methodist Hospital in Rochester, MN and the installation of Interstate 90 in Southeast MN. As a child, staring out a window in his ailing Mother's hospital room, he dreamed of being a truck driver as he saw the trucks travel up and down the highway. He fulfilled that dream and drove for numerous trucking companies and eventually purchased his own. His trucking career took him to every state in the continental United States and he earned the CB handle of Ol' Grizzly. Due to health reasons he left trucking and promoted education of the trucking industry to children. From there he started a solar energy business named Solar Bear. Then he started Kottschade Recycling where he transported old tires and appliances. This is where he spent the majority of his career. And at the end, he achieved his career highlight working as a double for the man from the North Pole also known as "Santa".
He had a passion for politics and welcomed any challenge it would bring him. From local Councilmen, Governors up to Presidents, he was known. As a trucker he was a member of the ITA (Independent Truckers Association) . He held the title of the National Road Agent for the ITA and fought for the rights for the Owner Operators including deregulation. He helped pass the Homeowners "Lemon Law". He fought proposed red tape on refuse haulers that would have added cost to consumers. As a member of CAI ( Citizens Against Incineration) he fought against installing a mass burn garbage incinerator in the Winona valley. As a member of the Midwest Gulf War Veterans Assn he fought for awareness of Gulf War Syndrome. Throughout the years he appeared in such media outlets as the Good Morning America show, Newsweek, and Overdrive Magazine. He wrote and produced the song about himself "The Ballad of Ol 'Grizzly" and was once even considered for role in a Sylvester Stallone film and also a DVD about the history of trucking.
His other passion was to help people. Over the years he and his wife opened their home to many including the homeless. They were foster parents to 4 children. He volunteered his time to organizations such as the Christmas tree pick up, the Make-A-Wish foundation, and nursing homes.
He leaves behind a legacy of helping others and challenging the establishment to improve. He firmly clung to the motto of "United We Stand, Divided We Fall".
A visitation will be held in Winona, MN at Hoff Celebration of Life Center 5-8 PM Friday, January 22, 2016 with a time of sharing at 6:30PM. We will be leaving for Theilman in procession from Hoff Celebration of Life Center at 10 AM. All are welcome to join. A funeral Mass will be held at 12 PM on Saturday, January 23, 2016 with visitation starting one hour prior at St Joseph's Catholic Church in Theilman, MN. Burial at St. Joseph's Cemetery with lunch to follow at the Opera House. In lieu of flowers memorial preferred to the family for a memorial at a later date in honor of Donald.