Don Osell, of Grand Rapids, MN, left his family's loving arms for God's on Thursday, July 25th, 2024. His personal odometer had reached an impressive 95.

Born October 25th, 1928, in Rush City, MN, to Clara and Alfred Osell, Don often said he was a bit of a smart aleck growing up. Lord, he was Swedish, so I hope you kindly took that into consideration.

After graduating from high school, Don enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 17 and set sail on the USS Muir, headed for Italy. It was his "ticket to college." Following his honorable discharge, Don attended Gustavus Adolphus College, where he earned a BA in English and History in 1952.

This marked the beginning of a new chapter in both his professional career with Green Giant and his personal journey with the love of his life, his wife Mary. Little did he know the chapters that were about to be written over the course of their 60-year marriage. In one of Don's writings later in life, he would go on to say, "While I made the living, Mary made the living worthwhile."

Don said his greatest accomplishment in life was his family. From the birth of his children, Mark and Dee-to the ecstatic arrivals of his grandchildren and "GREAT Grands"-they were blessed daily with his unwavering love, support, wisdom and guidance. Together, they forged traditions and made lifelong memories on the shores of Sugar Lake and beyond. "The bedrock of the next generation rests with my three grandchildren. They are strong and formidable. For that, I thank my children," Don said.

Climbing the ladder one rung at a time, Don's professional journey cannot go untold. Working for Green Giant and Pillsbury for nearly 40 years, he was a true trailblazer of his time. So much so that many thought Don was the Jolly Green Giant, including his grandchildren. In his humble way, Don wrote, "I met and worked with some of the brightest people imaginable. I learned from them-and hopefully-others learned from me."

The master of storytelling, Don's love of words extended onto the pages of hundreds of newspaper columns and eight books during his "retirement" years. Don often said that his post-retirement work far surpassed those of his professional career. His contributions to his communities, Zion Church, and his service as a board member for Sugar Lake Lodge, Second Harvest Food Bank and Gemini, were among his proudest achievements.

And the perks? The people he met and mentored along the way. Not to mention, the fish he caught in his travels with Gemini. From the remote wilderness of Canada's Northwest Territories to the white powder beaches of Belize, Don spent a fair share of his retirement with a rod and reel in hand. However, he always pointed out, "It was never about the fishing; it was about the company you keep."

That statement sums up how Don lived his life: one filled with unconditional love for God, his family, and his friends. Closing out his last chapter, Don wrote in December of 2023, "I don't know of another way to put it: In so many ways fate-God really-has smiled on me. By all rights, my life story wasn't supposed to come together the way it has. At each turn of the road-not knowing for sure whether to go left or right. Some Power told me which way to go. I personally attribute that Power to God."

Don's legacy will forever live on in his daughter, Dee Osell, Cohasset, MN; son, Mark (Maribeth) Osell, Chaska, MN; grandsons, Dan (Allison) Krogstad and Reed (Cait) Osell; granddaughter, Katie "Trink" (Josh) Krogstad Roed; seven "GREAT Grands": Natalie, Abigail, Jonathan, Clara, Grace, Haaken and Nora; and Step-Granddaughter, Bri Edwards.

Waiting for Don at Heaven's Gates were his wife, Mary; canine companion Misty; his parents; siblings, and many close friends who had gone before him.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, August 3, 2024 at Zion Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota with visitation beginning 10:00 AM.  Pastor Richie Danielson will officiate Donald's memorial service.  Inurnment with military honors will be held at Zion Lutheran Church Columbarium immediately following the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Croix Hospice.