Donald Ray Cederholm, 89
Donald Ray Cederholm, 89, passed away peacefully Feb. 20, 2022, in Elk River, Minn.
Donald was born in Hallock, Minn., on April 13, 1932, to Jonas and Violet Cederholm. He graduated in 1950 from Hallock High School. Don attended Mayville State College and St. Cloud State College. He enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served during the Korean War.
Don returned back to Minnesota and graduated from Bemidji State College in 1960 with a bachelor’s degree in business education. He taught in Dunseith, N.D., and in Hallock, Minn.
Don later accepted a position with the Department of State and worked in Athens, Greece, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. While home on a visit, he met the love of his life, Shirley Protosavage, in Pembina, N.D. They married July 12, 1965, in Miami, Fla. He then resigned from the State Department and went into a partnership with his brother Charles to operate Cederholm Oil in Hallock. Charles and Donald earned their EMT certifications and started the Hallock Volunteer Ambulance Service in 1969.
Donald and Shirley enjoyed many years in Harlingen, Texas, during the winter months, but always looked forward to returning to Hallock in the spring. Donny liked to fish Lake of the Woods in Ontario where many stories, jokes and fish fries were shared amongst family and friends. Don always looked forward to deer hunting where lots of tales were told, coffee drank and memories were created with a special bunch of hunting buddies.
Donald is survived by his wife, Shirley, of 56 years; a daughter, Wanda (Craig) Hegna of Zimmerman; a son, Wayne (Melissa) of Dallas, Ga.; three granddaughters, Jennifer, Jamie and Jordan Hegna; a brother, Harvey (Lois) Cederholm; sister-in-law, Myrna Protsavage; and brother-in-law, Jens (Willa King) Godfredsen; nieces, Jill (Fred) Young, Sue Cederholm, Deb Cederholm, Joni (Rick) Turner, Julie (Shawn) Ogden, Christine (Mike) Olczyk and Pam (Dan Souka) Godfredsen; nephews, Joel (Jan) Cederholm and Robert (Tara) Protosavage.
He is preceded in death by: his parents; brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Kaye Cederholm; sister-in- law, Marlene Godfedsen; and brother-in-law, Milton Protosavage.
A memorial service to honor Don’s Life will be at The First Presbyterian Church in Hallock on Saturday, April 30 at 1 p.m. Internment will take place at Greenwood Cemetery, Hallock.
Austin Funeral Chapel, Hallock, is in charge of the arrangements. www. austinfuneralchapel.com.
