Donald Gimpel Sr.

Donald Roger Gimpel Sr, 84 of Duluth, died Saturday, April 13, 2019 in Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Hospital. Don was born on January 13, 1935 in Duluth to John and Mary (Sink) Gimpel. Don was a 1955 graduate of Denfeld High School and married his high school sweetheart, Peggy L. Olson on January 28, 1956 in Duluth. Don worked as a longshoreman, Zenith Dredge and retired as a deckhand for Great Lakes Towing. He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church, the International Longshoreman’s Association #1366 and the Seafarers International Union. Don was a collector of various items. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Peggy; a brother, Bob Gimpel; a sister, Cele White; two grandchildren, Ryan and Gary Jr.; a great-granddaughter, Olivia. Don is survived by two sons, Donald Jr.  (Lori) of Hermantown and Cary (Tammi) of Superior; two daughters, Linda Gimpel Olsen (Paul) of Duluth and Patty (Jamie Tuura) Cornelison  of Cloquet; two brothers, Dick (Mary Lou) of Toledo, OH and Vernon “Chubber” of Duluth; two sisters, Pat (Gordon Sr) Haagenson of Pine River, MN and Mary Alice (Roger) Udovich of Montana; seven grandchildren, Tiffany, Grant, Chase, Mandi, Joseph, Jessica and Haylie; seven great-grandchildren; his special friend, Lorraine French; many nieces, nephews and friends. A gathering and celebration of Don’s life will be 1 to 3 p.m. Monday, April 22, 2019 at the Williams Lobermeier Boettcher Funeral Home.