Donald "Donny" Woxland

Donald “Donny” B. Woxland, 94, of Rushford, Minn., died on Friday, January 25, 2019, at his home.

Donny was born the sixth child to Gilbert and Gina (Drengmundson) Woxland on August 19, 1924, in Rushford, Minn. He was raised in Rushford and graduated from Rushford High School, where he played on the basketball team.

Donny met the love of his life, Laurine Woxland, from Houston, during high school. Donny and Laurine were united in marriage on October 4, 1942. Donny worked for Northwest Airlines in St. Paul, Minn., and in Ohio during WWII building B17s for the war effort. He was a Master Plumber and partner in his family business, G.S. Woxland, with Gilly Woxland and Myron Forsythe for 40 years. He sold the business to his nephews Glenn, Bradley, and Brian Woxland in 1984. Donny was a member of the Sons of Norway in Minneapolis, Minn., and La Crosse, Wis., the Rushford Lions Club for 78 years, Rushford Lutheran Church, where he was the cod fish dinner chairman for 37 years, choir member and also sang for funerals and weddings. Donny was also a member of Victory Lutheran Church in Mesa, Ariz., where he and Laurine spent more than 30 winters. He was very, very proud of his Norwegian heritage.

He is survived by his wife Laurine, two children: Stephen (Kathy) Woxland of Pardeeville, Wis., and RoxAnne (George) Scott of Richfield, Minn.; two grandchildren: Matthew (Brandon) Vaagsland and Kelly (Saul) Wainright; five great-grandchildren: Leiv, Kasper, Karsten, Eyala, and Ezra; and by many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two brothers and three sister.

There will be a funeral service at 11 a.m. on Thursday, January 31, 2019, at Rushford Lutheran Church, with the Reverend Steven Chellew officiating. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday at Hoff Funeral and Cremation Service in Rushford and one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Burial will be in the church cemetery this coming May.

In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials directed to the Rushford Community Foundation.