Obituary of Donald Charles Gold

Donald Charles Gold, (80) of Motley passed away at his home May 5, 2018 due to complications of dementia. Friends and family are invited to attend "A Celebration of Life" at Lincoln Evangelical Free Church (1354 320th ST, Cushing, MN 56443) on Saturday, May 19 at 11:00 am - 2 pm. A lunch will be provided. A private family burial will be at Evergreen Hill Cemetery in Staples, MN. Don was born October 21, 1937 in Staples, MN, the son of Elmer M. and Marlys M. (Batcher) Gold. He was baptized and confirmed in the United Methodist Church of Staples. He attended public school in Staples, MN graduating in 1955 and then attended one year at St. Cloud State University. On August 25, 1956 Don was united in marriage to Elizabeth (Betty) Schmitt and was blessed with five children. He made his home south of Motley where he assisted his father in raising turkeys, purchasing the farm from his father in 1960. Don operated a gas transport delivering petrol to the El-Ray Truck Stop in Motley, later hiring a driver, and continued this until 1977. He, at times, managed other side businesses such as cattle, pigs, lumber and gravel but the turkey business was his mainstay and he expanded the turkey farm many times over the years moving to egg production in the 1970's and partnering with his sons, Mike and Tom. He retired in 1999, selling his interest in Gold Turkey Farms to his son Tom. Don received his private pilot license in August 1974 and flew several cross country trips for pleasure and business. He especially enjoyed flying into areas that were not reachable by auto for his favorite pastime of fishing. He was a past member of the MN Turkey Growers Association, the Staples United District Hospital board and First Integrity Bank board. Don enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and fishing, spending much time in Canada with family and friends. Family trips most often were camping and fishing in Ontario, Canada. After retirement, he and his life companion Lael Wiegele spent time traveling, enjoying both Canada and Arizona. He was happiest when playing practical jokes on unsuspecting friends and had an infectious chuckle. Don also enjoyed playing cards, most commonly cribbage, often ending in several games being completed daily. Don spent his last years residing in his own home with his grandson Derek (Kali) Gold and their four children who affectionately called him "Great". Survivors are children Stephanie (Alvin) Sjoberg of Willmar, Michael (Cindy) Gold of Staples, Thomas (Linda) Gold of Motley, Russell (Cindy) Gold of Acworth, GA and Theresa (Michael) Emery of Idaho Falls, ID; nine grandchildren- Malcolm (Christine) Gold of Overland Park, KS, Aubrey (Steven) Sakaguchi of Oregon City, OR, Liza (Dave) Litke of Cold Spring, Jessica (Cole) Brenny of Minneapolis, Derek (Kali) Gold of Motley, Grace Sjoberg of Maplewood, Sarah Gold of New York, NY, Morgan Emery (fianc David Book) of Atlanta, GA, and Michael Gold, Waialua, HI; 12 great grandchildren and brother Douglas (Vicky) Gold of Motley. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, many aunts and uncles and special friend Lael Wiegele in 2014 In lieu of memorials or flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, https://www.theaftd.org/