William Donald Slipher, aka Donnie, age 93, a resident of Blaine Township passed away on November 7, 2022.

Don was born on January 5, 1929, in Blaine Township to parents, William and Anna Slipher. He was the youngest of three children, he had an older brother, Irvin and sister, Doris. His dad passed away when he was ten years old. His happiest memory as a child was fishing with family and friends. His saddest child memory was his sister passing away due to complications from tonsillectomy surgery. She was a teacher and only nineteen years old. Don went to a country grade school where he walked one mile each way every day. Then attended Aspen School by bus until he graduated in 8th grade. He never received any formal education but had many skills.

Don was married to Carol Naswold, later divorced but had two children, Randy Slipher and Claudette Slipher. He met Sophie, the love of his life and they were married June 6, 1966. He always said she was a beautiful woman, good cook, good mother, good wife and very hard worker. She had five children from a previous marriage, and they had one daughter together.

For many years, he was a maintenance man for a girl’s camp called Wilder Foundation. In the spring and fall, he would open and close cabins for the seasonal folks on McGraw Lake. He has been a maintenance man, gardener, farmer, construction worker, crane operator, plumber, electrician and an all around handy man. He held the nickname “The Handy Man of McGraw Lake”. His garage was always full of rebuilt small motors, wheelbarrows, power tools and numerous other broken items. Some of his hobbies were building bird houses and picture frames, fishing, tending a huge garden and having corn on the cob dinners with family and friends. Don always had a hobby farm. He raised pigs, chickens, cows, goats and horses. He lived on the family farm his whole life before moving to Maple Ridge.

Don liked living at Maple Ridge and was happy to spend time with wife, Sophie until she passed March 12, 2021. He enjoyed the food and friendly staff. His main activities at the nursing home were reading, spending time on the patio, and working on puzzles. He was always up for games, men’s breakfast and happy hour.

He was preceded in death by parents; and wife, Sophie.

He will be sadly missed by his children, Donna (Ken) Slipher-Jones, Bonnie Green, Michael Cook, Cecile Paulich, Geno (Nina Mummey) Cook, Rick Cook; grandchildren, Jason, Genia, Netta, Joe, Alyssa, Amber, Rob; great grandchildren, Harper, Charlie, Emma, Jacob, Jensen, Zeke, Sophie, Lily, Riley, River and Macy; along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, November 20, 2022 at the Northland Community Center at 1:00 PM (visitation 11-1).

Arrangements were entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster.

Last Update: Nov 11, 2022 12:06 pm CST