Donald C. Ingram, formerly of Austin, MN, died May 15, 2016 surrounded by his family. Don was born May 9, 1921 on the home farm near Durand, WI. His father was Clinton S. Ingram and mother was Grace (Van Allen) Ingram.
He and Veronica A. (Bauer) Ingram were married February 10, 1945 in Montgomery, Alabama on Maxwell Air Force Base. Don was proud of being called to service in WWII. He became a B29 bomber pilot and was scheduled to fly to Guam just as the war ended. He continued his service in the Air Force Reserves and was a liaison for the Air Force Academy.
Following his graduation in 1946 from Stout University, Don and Verone moved to Austin where they raised their six children. Don was a general metal shop instructor at Austin High School and finished his 37-year career in the educational system as the Director of the Austin Area Vocational-Technical Institute. After retiring in 1983, he was appointed to the first Minnesota State Board of Vocational Education by Gov. Perpich.
Don and Verone were charter members of St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Austin. Don was an active member of Kiwanis, American Legion, Elks, and the Austin Country Club. He was generous to his community and family.
Special memories were created with friends and family at Pompano Beach, FL and the family cabin at Beaver Lake in Minnesota. Our dad loved traveling both home and abroad, fishing trips with his buddies, golfing until he was 94 years old, and the excitement of a great happy hour to celebrate the end of the day. Dad was most often found tinkering in the garage while tapping his toes to polka music. He had the perfect tool for every job and there wasn’t much he couldn’t fix. He was dearly loved. He was our leader yet was always there for us as we chose our own paths.
Don was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Veronica, of 65 years, his brother Bill and sister Dorothy. He is survived by his children: Donald J., Lighthouse Point, FL; Lonna (Larry) Kurth, Rochester, MN; Mari, Boston, MA; Lisa (Ron) Lenoch, Whitefish, MT; Ariane (Tom) Herberg, Apple Valley, MN; Sam (Adrienne), Swanton, MD; grandchildren: Amanda, Audrey, Christine, Brekke, Erik, Seth, and Grace; great-grandchildren: Brayden and Isabelle.
In his passion for education Don donated his body to Mayo Clinic Dept. of Anatomy. A memorial service will be held sometime next year. Condolences to be shared with family may be sent to Lonna Kurth at 2409 Churchill Lane NE, Rochester, MN 55906. Memorials may be sent in honor of Don to: Department of Anatomy, Mayo Clinic, Stabile 9-38, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905.