Daniel Lester McDonald • 1947 - 2003

Daniel Lester McDonald, 55, Velva, ND, died Saturday, April 12, 2003 in his home of natural causes.

Daniel Lester McDonald was born November 9, 1947, E. Lester McDonald and Ruth (Haas) McDonald in Minot, ND.

He grew up and attended school in Deering, ND, graduating from Deering High School in 1965.

He attended schools specializing in Aviation Maintenance in Washington, Minnesota, Kansas, and Oklahoma. He worked as an aviation mechanic, flight instructor, and as an Instructor of Aviation Mechanics and Safety in North Dakota, Minnesota, and Kansas. He also worked as an aerial crop sprayer.

He retired two years ago due to ill health and one year ago moved from Wichita, Kansas, back to North Dakota, settling in Velva to be closer to his family.

He has received numerous awards and recognition throughout the years in his professional life and through his volunteer activities.

He was a lifetime member of the Roman Catholic Church and once was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a charter member of the Dakota Air Museum, and past member of the Minot Jaycees and Minot Optimist Club. He once was in real estate sales and was a member of several realty associations.

He had a special love of old classic movies, radio shows, and music. He loved photography and had many pictures of planes, air shows, family gatherings and his beloved golden retriever, Katie, who accompanied him everywhere. Throughout his life he had interests in motorcycles, fishing, hunting, sailing, dirt track sprint car racing, and building and flying radio control model aircraft. His life was filled with his love of flying. He built experimental aircraft and performed aerobatics in many air shows.

He cherished his time with his nieces and nephews and family. Christmas was his favorite holiday and he especially loved the big family gatherings and entertaining everyone with his family and air show slides. He was a very talented storyteller and writer and a wonderful son, brother and uncle.

Survivors: mother, Ruth McDonald; brother, Thomas McDonald and wife Patricia, Hunters, WA; sisters, Mary Jo Merck and husband William, Minot, Carolyn Johnson, Sherwood, ND, and Teresa Cowan and husband William, Casper, WY; sister-in-law, LaRae McDonald, Minot; several aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
His father, Edward "Lester" McDonald, brother, James McDonald, brother-in-law, Wesley Johnson and nephew, Kevin Johnson, preceded Dan in death.

Funeral Service: Wednesday, April 16, 2003, 2:00 p.m. at St. Leo's Catholic Church, Minot, ND.

Rosary Recitation: Tuesday, April 15, 2003, 7:00 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home Chapel, Minot, ND.

Visitation: Tuesday, April 15, 2003, from noon to 7:00 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home Chapel, Minot, ND.

Burial: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot, ND.

Celebrant of the Liturgies: Father Chris Walter

Mass Servers: John Landsiedel and Drew Saari

Scripture Readers: Debbie Richter and Dana Saari

Offertory Giftbearers: Denise Landsiedel and Kathy Des Lauriers

Music:
Processional "Softly and Tenderly"
Offertory "Loving and Forgiving"
Communion "On Eagle's Wings"
Recessional "Just A Closer Walk With Thee"
John Leonard, vocalist, Jeanne Artz, organist

Pallbearers:Steven Merck, Leslie Merck, Brad Johnson, Doug McDonald, Daniel Cowan, David Richter and Derek Des Lauriers

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