Donald Berndt Obituary

Donald D. Berndt, age 92, of Canby, MN, passed away Monday, October 13, 2025, at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne. A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 25, 2025, at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Canby with Rev. Jeff Cooper officiating. Visitation will be Friday, October 24, from 5–7 p.m. at Houseman Funeral Home, Birk Chapel, in Canby. Burial will take place at a later date at Danzig Baptist Cemetery in Avon, SD.
Donald Duane Berndt was born May 23, 1933, in Avon, SD, to Ephraim and Lydia (Hubner) Berndt. After losing his mother at age three, Don was raised by his father and siblings on the family farm. He graduated from Avon High School in 1951 and after helping his dad with the farm, entered the U.S. Army in 1953, serving with the 1st Cavalry Division in Japan before being honorably discharged in 1955.
Following his service, Don studied Auto Mechanics at Southern State Teachers College in Springfield, SD. He worked eight years for Oines Motor Company in Brookings, and in 1959 married Ethel Eggers. They later moved to Canby, MN, where Don joined the newly opened Canby Area Vocational Technical Institute in 1965. Over a 30-year teaching career, he developed training programs and helped hundreds of students begin careers as auto mechanics-something he considered one of his greatest achievements.
After retiring in 1995, Don built an addition to his home and, with Ethel, spent 13 winters volunteering with Roving Volunteers in Christ's Service (RVICS), helping with maintenance and repair projects at Bible camps, churches, and children's homes across the U.S. He also served on the board of MECCA, Inc., worked on the restoration of the Lund-Hoel House, and was active with First Baptist Church and the Shetek Baptist Camp.
Don and Ethel also volunteered for many years at Sanford Sylvan Court in Canby and participated in many other community service opportunities. Don was a member of the Porter American Legion Post 457.
Don and Ethel celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in June 2024. Don delighted in his family and especially his grandchildren, always amazed at how much was available for them to do and learn. Don passed away Monday, October 13, 2025, at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne at the age of 92 from advanced Parkinson's disease.
Grateful for his life are his children: Michelle (Doug) Anderson, Sioux Falls, SD; Jeffrey (Ken Willock) Berndt, Sacramento, CA; and Melissa (Mike) Halsne, Minneapolis, MN; grandchildren: Kari (Josiah) Waderich, Jana Anderson, Ryan (Kelly Condon) Halsne, and Jake (Olivia) Halsne; and great-grandchildren: Hazel and Hugo Waderich, and Jackson Halsne.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ethel; parents, Ephraim and Lydia Berndt; sisters, Magdalene (Oscar) VanAsperen and Carol (Harold) Johnson; and brothers, Micheal (Helen) and Freddie Berndt.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to Don's many care providers over the year, the Sanford Hospice team and staff at Sylvan Place, Sylvan Court and the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne for their compassionate care.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to First Baptist Church, MECCA Inc., Minnesota West Foundation, Shetek Baptist Camp, or a charity of your choice.
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