The funeral service for Donald M. Levisen, of Albert Lea, will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, June 24, 2002 at Ascension Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. Pastors Philip and Marilyn Peters will officiate. Interment will be in Graceland Cemetery. Military honors will be accorded by Albert Lea veterans organizations. Visitation will be from 4 – 8 p.m. on Sunday at Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea, and one hour before the service at the church’.

Donald died on Friday, June 21 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester. He was 77.

He was born on January 29,1925, in Freeborn County, the son of Jens and Marie (Jensen) Levisen. He attended country school in Clarks Grove, Lerdal and Murtaugh. Donald proudly served our country in the U.S. Army, entering on June 5, 1944, and receiving his honorable discharge on May 31, 1946. On August 15, 1947, he married Lorraine Mae Gunderson at Salem Lutheran Church in Lake Mills, Iowa. Throughout his life he was employed by Thompson Dairy, Trow Real Estate, Drug Supply, Queens, St. John’s Lutheran Home, and later as courier for the Albert Lea Medical Center, which he so enjoyed. He was an active member of the Danish Brotherhood and on September 19, 1990, Donald received the Danish Brotherhood in America International and National Howard E. Christensen Award for Meritorious Service Performed. He was a planner and promoter of the Immigrant Statue and the Mermaid which grace our city. He instigated renaming of Lincoln Park to “New Denmark”. He was a member of Ascension Lutheran Church.

Donald loved his fishing trips with three generations of the “Levisen” clan, enjoyed spending time at “the cabin” on Bear Lake and gardening. In 2000, Donald was awarded his High School Diploma, as a Veteran, he received it in recognition for the knowledge and skills earned from life experiences, as well as his sacrifice and service to our country. Donald was always “first” at everything, especially to lend a helping hand and also to share stories and fun.

Donald is survived by wife Lorraine of Albert Lea, son Bob Levisen and his wife Darlene of rural Albert Lea, grandchildren: Jens, Megan, Mariah and Jacob Levisen, sister: Helen and her husband Norval Nelson of Albert Lea, Arnold Levisen and his wife Erma, Earl Levisen and his wife Maurine, Paul Levisen and his wife Ruth “Dolly”,

Myron Levisen and his wife Pat, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Doris in infancy, a brother: Thorvald Levisen and his wife Irine, a sister Lillian Bro and her husband Ingward.