Donald Leslie Nowling

Donald Leslie Nowling of Cambridge, formerly of Pine City, passed away February 27, 2015 at his home at the age of 86. Don was born February 22, 1929 in Racine, Wisconsin to parents Les and Gladys (Anderman) Nowling. Don grew up in the Brook Park area near his great-grandfather John Seedorf who he had a special relationship with. He loved the farm and always wanted to farm when he was very young. Don learned his work ethic early and was always a hard worker who loved nice vehicles and keeping his properties in top notch shape. Don was mechanical as a child and as a young lad, Don built himself a wagon that he put his childhood dog in and walked 12 miles to see his grampa Seedorf. The majority of Don’s adult life was spent working as an auto mechanic. He was a well respected mechanic working for several garages before opening his own shop in St. Paul on Rice and Arlington. He owned and operated Don’s Auto Service until retiring in 1984. Most of this time Don lived in St. Paul and Forest Lake. Don was a father to 11 children, Ronald, Aloha, David, Roger, Douglas, Rosella, Allan, Susan, Donnie, Peggy and Jackie. Don was married to Charline Moe of Forest Lake in 1970 in Des Moines, Iowa. The couple lived in Forest Lake but moved to Henriette in 1997 and later to Cambridge, MN. Don was a big fan of the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing. Don loved to garden, can vegetables and make maple syrup. He had many horses over the years and many dogs that he took in and cared for. Don was a “Man’s Man” and enjoyed socializing with an occasional Windsor. You usually remembered meeting Don, because of his humor. He was not shy and enjoyed somewhat off color or embarrassing remarks. He would be classified as “a real character.” Don is survived by his wife Char; children Ron Nowling of Brainerd, David (Diane) Nowling of Mpls., Roger (Bridget) Nowling of Houston, TX, Douglas (Melanie) Nowling of Danbury, Rosella Nowling of Prescott, WI, Allan (LuAnn) Nowling of Blaine, Susan (Ellis) Wyatt of Washington, Donnie Nowling of WI, Peggy Nowling of Bayport, Jackie Austin (Bill Lally) of TN, 23 grandchildren, many great grandchildren. Also surviving is Don’s sister LaVonne Corey of North Branch, brother Jim Bergvig of Rush City and many nieces and nephews. Don is preceded in death by his parents Les and Gladys Nowling; daughter Aloha Fogelberg; grandchildren David Fogelberg, Tyko Nowling, Erin Nowling; siblings Carl and Vern Nowling and Audrey Anderson. Rev. Laurie O’Shea officiated a memorial service 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 3, 2015. Music was provided by Dianne Kirchberg and Randi Pederson and Amariah Olson. Honorary casket bearers included Mike Nowling, Randy Nowling, Scott Nowling, Dan Nowling, Brent Nowling, Greg Olson, Dennis Olson and Rocky Bodell. The interment will take place at a later date in the Brook Park Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the First Evangelical Lutheran Church. Funeral arrangements for Mr. Don Nowling are entrusted to the Funeral and Cremation Service of Pine City, Swanson Chapel. www.funeralandcremationservice.com