Donald "Don" Tichelaar

Donald "Don" Tichelaar, 92, of Rochester, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on September 9, 2024, at The Waters on Mayowood.

Don was born on June 24, 1932, in Martin, Michigan to Cornelia and Donald Tickler. He grew up in South Holland, Chicago, and attended Chicago Vocational High School. Don served in the Korean War from 1952-1954. Afterwards, he attended Central College in Pella, Iowa, where he met his wife, Lorys "Lory" Gluen. They were married on December 22, 1956 in Greenleafton, Minnesota, and were happily married for 64 years. The couple moved to Rochester in 1956, and Don began a 34-year career as a financial analyst at IBM.

Don was an avid golfer, gardener, fisherman, and sports lover, who loyally rooted for Chicago and then Minnesota teams throughout his life. He was particularly proud of his three hole-in-one triumphs.

After retirement, Don enjoyed travel adventures with Lory, and cherished time with his many close friends at weekly happy hours, card games, and bowling league. He was a member of the Quarterback Club and VFW, where he could regularly be found hanging out with his sports buddies.

Don's faith was always important to him, and he and Lory served and worshipped in the church for decades.

Above all, Don loved his family and cherished time with them, especially holidays, family vacations, and just a regular night out to eat at O'Neill's Pizza. His sense of humor, generosity, kindness, outgoing personality, and smile will be greatly missed, and he will be loved forever.

Don is survived by his children, Jamie (Randy) Crawford of Rochester, Jan (Mike) Teas of Indianola, Iowa, and daughter-in-law Joleen Tichelaar, as well as grandchildren Hannah, Sam, Alex, Emily, Joe, Zach, and Kendra, and great-grandchildren Blake and Theo. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Irving, and beloved wife Lory and son Jay.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, October 5 at 11:00 a.m. at the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home. The visitation will be held starting at 10:00 a.m. in the chapel. His ashes will be laid to rest at the Preston, Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery at a later date.

Many, many thanks to Mayo Hospice and the staff at The Waters on Mayowood for their compassionate care of Don and his family.

Memorials may be directed to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Alzheimer's Foundation, or Rochester Community Church in SE Rochester (formerly Church of the Savior).