Donald Blegen

Friday, January 26, 2024 10:17 am

Donald “Cookie Man” Blegen, age 81, of rural Decorah, passed away Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minn.
Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday Jan 30, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Locust, 1638 Big Canoe Road, Decorah, with Rev. Randy Kittelson presiding. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 29, at Helms Funeral Home, 306 E. Water St, Decorah, IA 52101.
Memorials can be made out to St. John’s Lutheran Church, the Locust cemetery, or to the family.
Donald Lee Blegen was born Nov. 11, 1942, to Arthur & Viola
(Wangsness) Blegen in Decorah, Iowa
Don spent his entire life in and around his hometown of Decorah. He attended
Thomas Roberts (Decorah) High School where he was involved in several
activities. The place he excelled at was football. He held a school record and
received a full football scholarship to Drake University upon his graduation. Alas,
college life was not for him. He was a hometown boy who remained that way all
his life.
Don had several interests; cars, sports, hunting, and fishing were top on the
list. He also had a few jobs over the years, but the one that “stuck” for 41 years
was being a Cookie Salesman for Rippin’ Good Cookies. He loved seeing people
and driving his route. Over the years he always said he put in well over a million
miles.
He married Carol Bender on Feb. 8, 1964; and they raised two children
together. He ran his route and farmed with his father-in-law for several years,
eventually buying the farm and taking over. He was always busy, but never too
much so that he couldn’t be the best husband and dad possible. Never missing
an event and always having a kind heart and wise words.
Don is survived by his wife, Carol; daughter, Shelly (Brian) Carolan; son, Jeff (Kelly)
Blegen; grandchildren, Brittany (Colby Rissman) Provost, Clayton (Chelsea)
Provost, Brianna (Ryan) Waite, Wyatt & Paige Blegen; great grandchildren, Creed,
Capri, & Cade Provost, Hadley & Colton Waite, and honorary great grandchildren
Emma, Elyse, & Raylynn Rissman; brother, Doug (Rosie) Blegen; brother-in-law
Howard McIntosh and numerous nieces & nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Art & Vi Blegen; in-laws, Virgil & Lucella
Bender; sister, Judy McIntosh; nephew, Norman McIntosh; sister-in-law, Elaine
Yarwood; brother-in-law, Dean Yarwood; twin great granddaughters, Kaylee &
Raelyn.
Don was a crafty man who would help anyone and always had a smile for all. He
could laugh and just make the day better. In his later years his passion became
his “pond”, a place to fish, camp, enjoy family time and relax.
He touched so many lives and he will be missed by many