Donald Dean DeSart

Donald Dean DeSart, age 93, of Albert Lea, Minnesota passed away on Saturday, August 8, 2026. Don was born on May 4, 1933, in Rodman, Iowa to Leona Hulda (Bargman) DeSart and Scott Elwood DeSart. Don’s parents were farmers and he grew up eldest of five on the farm. They had lambs, mules, milking cows and pigs. He spent time working bailing hay when he was 12 years old making $10 a day. Don played basketball and baseball when he was in school. He graduated from Fenton High School in 1951.

He joined the Marines Reserves in 1952 after two years he transferred to active Army. While there he went to Auto Maintenance school and worked on Artillery Track vehicles.

Don met Mary Jane Buckmeier on a dance floor, at The Interlachen Dance Hall in Fairmont, Minnesota. They spent many hours dancing together. They were married on April 12, 1958, in Fairmont, Minnesota. They lived in Blue Earth, Minnesota and Don was employed by Culligan Company. Denise Rene DeSart was born on April16, 1960. He worked for Schwen’s Company, delivering milk and ice cream to area stores while in Blue Earth. David Charles was born June 26, 1961, in Blue Earth. Don also worked at the Ford garage in Blue Earth. Daniel Scott DeSart was born November 29, 1963. Don and family moved to Albert Lea in October of 1966. He worked at Ankeny Foods out of Austin Minnesota. He continued to deliver ice cream and milk products to local stores. Dean Allen DeSart was born December 6, 1967. In the late 70”s Don began working for Twin Cities Wholesale Drug out of Minneapolis. He began delivering batteries, lightbulbs, and over the counter drugs. He would travel and sometimes stay with his daughter in St. Paul. He enjoyed his job and loved talking to people. Everyone who knew Don enjoyed his easy-going nature and his ability to talk to anyone. Don and Mary enjoyed dancing to old-time music, country and even polka music. They spent many years as Winter Texans with a home in Pharr, Texas. Don had many friends in Texas as well as in Albert Lea. As they grew older together you would often see them singing karaoke at many places in Albert Lea.

Don and Mary were long time members of Zion Lutheran Church in Albert Lea where their children were confirmed.

Don is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mary Jane (Buckmeier) DeSart. His daughter Denise DeSart-Strasser, (Jeffrey Strasser) of St. Paul, Minnesota, Daniel (Susan) DeSart, Dean DeSart (fiancé Robbie) of Albert Lea; grandchildren, Hannah Strasser (Christian Andrew) Busse of Chandler, Arizona, Christian Scott Strasser of St. Paul, Minnesota, Leo DeSart of Albert Lea, Minnesota, Darris (Jody) DeSart of Waseca, Derek (Rhio) DeSart of Albert Lea, Haley DeSart (fiancé Isaac Kim) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, DeVon (Lindsay) DeSart, of Albert Lea, Dezaray Madrigal (partner Kyle Traynor); great grandchildren, Kinley, Harper, Elijah, Easton, Lillian, Layla, Alyssa; Johathan; sister Donna (James)Sohn, brother Duane DeSart of , sister in law, Wilma (Daryl) DeSart of Des Moines, sister in law, Charleen (Fred) Zoeller of Fairmont, Minnesota; many nieces and nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Scott and Leona DeSart, his son, David DeSart, brother Daryl DeSart, sister Dorthy Davis, brothers in law Floyd Buckmeier, Cecil Buckmeier, Earl Burmeister, James Buckmeier, Eugene Bell, Fred Zoeller, James Sohn, Ron Davis, sisters in law, Mary Lou Buckmeier, Martha Buckmeier, Margaret Burmeister, Edith Buckmeier, Lois Bell, his nephews, Daryl DeSart Jr., Rodney Sohn, many other relatives and friends.

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the nurses and staff of St. Croix Hospice for the wonderful care and support they gave to our family and our father.

A memorial service for Donald with be held at 1:00pm on Saturday, October 17th at Zion Lutheran Church at 924 Bridge Avenue in Albert Lea, Minnesota. Bonnerup Funeral Home of Albert Lea are assisting the family with arrangements.