Donald Kofron

Donald Joseph Kofron of Austin, Minnesota died Saturday, December 30, 2017. Don was born November 29, 1916 in Mason City, Iowa to Frank and Lillian (Zabokrtsky) Kofron. He graduated from Mason City High School in 1933 and married Dorris Birdsell on May 11, 1941. Following their wedding Don and Dorris lived in California, New Mexico, and Mississippi during Don’s Army Air Corps pilot training. After completing his military service as a B-17 Flying Fortress pilot in World War II, Don and Dorris lived in Iowa City for several years. During this time their son Phillip was born and Don graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor’s Degree in business. In 1950 Don, Dorris, and Phillip moved to Austin where Don resided for 67 years. Don led a full, rich life of 101 years as a dedicated husband, father, neighbor, and friend. His life’s work was as a food scientist in Research and Development at Hormel Foods, Inc. His role at Hormel included work in Austin as well as Japan, the Philippines, and Australia. Don was a long-standing member of First United Methodist Church where he participated in various committees and sang in the church choir. Don greatly cared about his friends; his caregivers; and his Kofron, Birdsell, Bast, and McGlaughlin family, including being Grandpa Don to the Rogers. He greatly enjoyed the out-of-doors, especially hiking in the Colorado mountains and fishing at Lake Koronis and the Rainy River; conversations; golf; big band and classical music; ballroom dancing; singing; watercolor and oil painting; designing and fixing things; woodworking; and reading. Don was known for his exuberant zest for life and almost always was “up for anything.” Survivors include Don’s son Phillip (Marilynn) Kofron; nieces Sharon (Larry) Dixon, Linda Johnston, and Nancy Whipple; and nephew Richard (Donna) Long. Don was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Lillian (Zabokrtsky) Kofron; baby brother; wife Dorris (Birdsell) Kofron; sisters-in-law Mildred (Birdsell) Pattschull, June (Klinge) Birdsell, and Lucille (Birdsell) Long Trimble; brothers-in-law Dale Pattschull, Don Birdsell, Wayne Long, and Turner Trimble; and nephew Gary (Donna) Pattschull. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday January 5, 2018 at First United Methodist Church in Austin, Minnesota with Pastor Dennis Tamke officiating. Visitation will be on Friday one hour prior to the funeral service at the church. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post #91 and VFW #1216. In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to First United Methodist Church in Austin, Minnesota. Condolences may be left online at www.mayerfh.com

Service Information

Cemetery

Oakwood Cemetery
1800 4 St. NW
Austin MN 55912

Visitation

Friday, January 5 2018
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

First United Methodist Church
204 1st Ave NW
Austin MN 55912

Service

Friday, January 5 2018
11:00 AM

First United Methodist Church
204 1st Ave NW
Austin MN 55912