Donald Eugene Somsen was born July 1, 1928, the youngest son of Albert and Minnie (Kappers) Somsen in the River Falls, Wisconsin Hospital. His older sisters were Muriel Albertine born June 23, 1917 - Evelyn Rosamae born January 15, 1920 and a brother LeRoy Edward born July 22, 1925.
He remembered his first day of school, which was only a block away. His sister, Muriel walked with him, as she was a Senior at the same school which was for all 12 grades. In 1932 there was a fire in the Somsen home, starting in a closet. This fire destroyed all their clothes and the pictures stored there.
Don worked for his Dad in the Egg Produce Business when he was about 12 years old, making egg crates and later learning how to candle the eggs. The High School was built in 1936, which Don attended. He was interested in sports, so was on the football team and the basketball team. He also played the bass drum in the band, was in the Junior Class play and was an excellent student. At the end of his Sophomore year, he dated a classmate, Irene Johnson.
After his Dad sold the Egg Business, Don had part time jobs at Vanda’s Jewelry Store, VandeBerg’s Hardware and at Chillstrom’s Men’s Store. Don graduated from the Baldwin High School in May of 1946 and enrolled in the Minnesota School of Business in Minneapolis for a one year course graduating in July of 1947. While at the Business School he was also on the Basketball Team. He was hired at the Nash Garage in Baldwin as the bookkeeper after graduating.
Don and Irene were married at the Woodside Church on November 27, 1948. Their first home was a small trailer in the backyard of Don’s parents. Kathryn Jo was born on December 16, 1949 and Don’s Uncle B.J. Somsen offered him a chance to buy a house he was building. Don and Irene and baby moved into the new house in September of 1950. On February 29th, 1952 Jerry Donald was born, on May 11, 1957 David Lee was born and on March 14, 1964 Joan Marie joined the family.
Don was active in the Boy Scouts, served on many boards at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, refereed Basketball and Hockey Games, was a member of the Volunteer Fire Department, was the Village Clerk and then President of the Village. He also served on the Hospital Board for many years. He was hired as a bookkeeper at St. Croix Electric in 1955 and then became the Manager in 1965, retiring in 1990.
He was able to visit the home of his Grandparents in the Netherlands before they immigrated to America in 1881, and became acquainted with many other relatives. Don had many hobbies, which included his yearly fishing trips to Canada, Senior League Golfing, refinishing furniture, ice skating, water skiing, reading, crossword puzzles and attending all sports events. He especially enjoyed the weekends spent at their trailer at Sunnyside Resort and Marina at Balsam Lake and watching the Grandchildren and their activities.
(Bio written by his wife, Irene)
He remembered his first day of school, which was only a block away. His sister, Muriel walked with him, as she was a Senior at the same school which was for all 12 grades. In 1932 there was a fire in the Somsen home, starting in a closet. This fire destroyed all their clothes and the pictures stored there.
Don worked for his Dad in the Egg Produce Business when he was about 12 years old, making egg crates and later learning how to candle the eggs. The High School was built in 1936, which Don attended. He was interested in sports, so was on the football team and the basketball team. He also played the bass drum in the band, was in the Junior Class play and was an excellent student. At the end of his Sophomore year, he dated a classmate, Irene Johnson.
After his Dad sold the Egg Business, Don had part time jobs at Vanda’s Jewelry Store, VandeBerg’s Hardware and at Chillstrom’s Men’s Store. Don graduated from the Baldwin High School in May of 1946 and enrolled in the Minnesota School of Business in Minneapolis for a one year course graduating in July of 1947. While at the Business School he was also on the Basketball Team. He was hired at the Nash Garage in Baldwin as the bookkeeper after graduating.
Don and Irene were married at the Woodside Church on November 27, 1948. Their first home was a small trailer in the backyard of Don’s parents. Kathryn Jo was born on December 16, 1949 and Don’s Uncle B.J. Somsen offered him a chance to buy a house he was building. Don and Irene and baby moved into the new house in September of 1950. On February 29th, 1952 Jerry Donald was born, on May 11, 1957 David Lee was born and on March 14, 1964 Joan Marie joined the family.
Don was active in the Boy Scouts, served on many boards at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, refereed Basketball and Hockey Games, was a member of the Volunteer Fire Department, was the Village Clerk and then President of the Village. He also served on the Hospital Board for many years. He was hired as a bookkeeper at St. Croix Electric in 1955 and then became the Manager in 1965, retiring in 1990.
He was able to visit the home of his Grandparents in the Netherlands before they immigrated to America in 1881, and became acquainted with many other relatives. Don had many hobbies, which included his yearly fishing trips to Canada, Senior League Golfing, refinishing furniture, ice skating, water skiing, reading, crossword puzzles and attending all sports events. He especially enjoyed the weekends spent at their trailer at Sunnyside Resort and Marina at Balsam Lake and watching the Grandchildren and their activities.
(Bio written by his wife, Irene)
Donald Eugene Somsen was born July 1, 1928, the youngest son of Albert and Minnie (Kappers) Somsen in the River Falls, Wisconsin Hospital. His older sisters were Muriel Albertine born June 23, 1917 - Evelyn Rosamae born January 15, 1920 and a brother LeRoy Edward born July 22, 1925.
He remembered his first day of school, which was only a block away. His sister, Muriel walked with him, as she was a Senior at the same school which was for all 12 grades. In 1932 there was a fire in the Somsen home, starting in a closet. This fire destroyed all their clothes and the pictures stored there.
Don worked for his Dad in the Egg Produce Business when he was about 12 years old, making egg crates and later learning how to candle the eggs. The High School was built in 1936, which Don attended. He was interested in sports, so was on the football team and the basketball team. He also played the bass drum in the band, was in the Junior Class play and was an excellent student. At the end of his Sophomore year, he dated a classmate, Irene Johnson.
After his Dad sold the Egg Business, Don had part time jobs at Vanda’s Jewelry Store, VandeBerg’s Hardware and at Chillstrom’s Men’s Store. Don graduated from the Baldwin High School in May of 1946 and enrolled in the Minnesota School of Business in Minneapolis for a one year course graduating in July of 1947. While at the Business School he was also on the Basketball Team. He was hired at the Nash Garage in Baldwin as the bookkeeper after graduating.
Don and Irene were married at the Woodside Church on November 27, 1948. Their first home was a small trailer in the backyard of Don’s parents. Kathryn Jo was born on December 16, 1949 and Don’s Uncle B.J. Somsen offered him a chance to buy a house he was building. Don and Irene and baby moved into the new house in September of 1950. On February 29th, 1952 Jerry Donald was born, on May 11, 1957 David Lee was born and on March 14, 1964 Joan Marie joined the family.
Don was active in the Boy Scouts, served on many boards at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, refereed Basketball and Hockey Games, was a member of the Volunteer Fire Department, was the Village Clerk and then President of the Village. He also served on the Hospital Board for many years. He was hired as a bookkeeper at St. Croix Electric in 1955 and then became the Manager in 1965, retiring in 1990.
He was able to visit the home of his Grandparents in the Netherlands before they immigrated to America in 1881, and became acquainted with many other relatives. Don had many hobbies, which included his yearly fishing trips to Canada, Senior League Golfing, refinishing furniture, ice skating, water skiing, reading, crossword puzzles and attending all sports events. He especially enjoyed the weekends spent at their trailer at Sunnyside Resort and Marina at Balsam Lake and watching the Grandchildren and their activities.
(Bio written by his wife, Irene)
He remembered his first day of school, which was only a block away. His sister, Muriel walked with him, as she was a Senior at the same school which was for all 12 grades. In 1932 there was a fire in the Somsen home, starting in a closet. This fire destroyed all their clothes and the pictures stored there.
Don worked for his Dad in the Egg Produce Business when he was about 12 years old, making egg crates and later learning how to candle the eggs. The High School was built in 1936, which Don attended. He was interested in sports, so was on the football team and the basketball team. He also played the bass drum in the band, was in the Junior Class play and was an excellent student. At the end of his Sophomore year, he dated a classmate, Irene Johnson.
After his Dad sold the Egg Business, Don had part time jobs at Vanda’s Jewelry Store, VandeBerg’s Hardware and at Chillstrom’s Men’s Store. Don graduated from the Baldwin High School in May of 1946 and enrolled in the Minnesota School of Business in Minneapolis for a one year course graduating in July of 1947. While at the Business School he was also on the Basketball Team. He was hired at the Nash Garage in Baldwin as the bookkeeper after graduating.
Don and Irene were married at the Woodside Church on November 27, 1948. Their first home was a small trailer in the backyard of Don’s parents. Kathryn Jo was born on December 16, 1949 and Don’s Uncle B.J. Somsen offered him a chance to buy a house he was building. Don and Irene and baby moved into the new house in September of 1950. On February 29th, 1952 Jerry Donald was born, on May 11, 1957 David Lee was born and on March 14, 1964 Joan Marie joined the family.
Don was active in the Boy Scouts, served on many boards at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, refereed Basketball and Hockey Games, was a member of the Volunteer Fire Department, was the Village Clerk and then President of the Village. He also served on the Hospital Board for many years. He was hired as a bookkeeper at St. Croix Electric in 1955 and then became the Manager in 1965, retiring in 1990.
He was able to visit the home of his Grandparents in the Netherlands before they immigrated to America in 1881, and became acquainted with many other relatives. Don had many hobbies, which included his yearly fishing trips to Canada, Senior League Golfing, refinishing furniture, ice skating, water skiing, reading, crossword puzzles and attending all sports events. He especially enjoyed the weekends spent at their trailer at Sunnyside Resort and Marina at Balsam Lake and watching the Grandchildren and their activities.
(Bio written by his wife, Irene)
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