Donald Strack Obituary

Donald Henry Strack, age 92, of Randall, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on July 3, 2025, at St. Gabriel Hospital in Little Falls, just 13 days shy of his 93rd birthday.

Mass of Christian Burial held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, July 11, 2025 at St. James Catholic Church in Randall, MN with Father Ben Kociemba officiating. Burial in the St. James Parish Cemetery in Randall, MN. Visitation held from 8:30-10:30 A.M. on Friday, July 11, 2025 at St. James Catholic Church in Randall, MN. Caring for Donald and his family is the LeMieur Funeral Home in Little Falls, MN.

Donald was born on July 16, 1932, in Long Prairie, MN, and grew up working on his parents' farm. At age 18, he proudly served his country as a tank operator in the U.S. Army with the A/194 Tank Battalion. He completed basic training at Camp Rucker in Alabama. Following his military service, Donald pursued training in the trades at Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis, where he studied machine tool and die making and became a skilled welder. He worked for Swift Packing Company before getting married and starting a family. In April of 1953, Donald was set up on a blind date with Kathryn Jares. They became engaged at Christmastime the following year. On August 20, 1955, he married the love of his life at the Church of the Visitation in Minneapolis, MN. In 1957, they settled in Randall, MN, where Donald purchased Ira Cyrus's blacksmith and radiator repair business. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to acquire his first school bus in 1959, steadily growing what would become Strack's Bus Service. Donald took great pride in providing safe transportation for children from Randall and Little Falls. In 1990, Donald's son Tim and his wife Lorie bought the business and over 20 years later, Tim's son Joe and his wife Tara are now the owners and operators of the business. Donald's greatest joy was his family, and he loved nothing more than gathering with them. He enjoyed repairing cars, fishing, watching Sunday NASCAR, and offering a helping hand to anyone in need. A man of deep Catholic faith, Donald was devoted to daily prayer and found strength and comfort in his beliefs throughout his life.

Donald is survived by his loving wife of nearly 70 years, Kathryn; his children, Timothy (Lorie) Strack, Melissa (Dwight) Raatz, and Lynn (Vern) Vetsch; siblings, Janice (Leroy) Pusc, Carolyn (Walley) Wielinski, Judy (Tug) Hengel, Lois (Howard) Molde, Mary (Vern) Vernig, Dale (Sue) Strack, and Patricia (Dean) Colombe; 10 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rudy and Isabell Strack; and his siblings, Arlene, Jack, Jerry, and Nancy.

His steadfast faith, generous heart, and devotion to family will be remembered and cherished by all who knew him.