Donald Axt

WILTON - Donald "Donny" D. Axt, 70, was received into the arms of his heavenly Father in the early morning hours of Dec. 24, 2014, at his home in Wilton. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 29, at Sunne Lutheran Church, Wilton, with the Rev. Paul Schauer officiating. Burial will be at Sunne Lutheran Cemetery.

Visitation will be held Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Sunne Lutheran Church where a prayer service will be held at 7 p.m.

Donny was born Nov. 11, 1944, in Bismarck, the son of Annie (Mauch) and David Axt. He was reared on the family farm, north of McClusky. At age 16, Donny's father died, and he took over the day-to-day operations of the farm, alongside his mother. During this time, he completed his high school education and was determined to prove that he could be successful in spite of tough times. Donny loved the land and his cattle; he was a true steward of God's earth.

In August of 1969, Donny met his best friend and partner in life, JoAnn Mickelson. He couldn't wait to call her his wife, so on March 27, 1970, he asked for her hand in marriage. They were wed on Oct. 17, 1970, in Mandan. Donny was baptized into the Lutheran faith in December of that same year. Together, Donny and JoAnn worked on their farm and became the proud parents of 10 children – two sons and eight daughters.

A highlight of their 44 years of marriage was the trip they took to Alaska in the summer of 2003. Donny loved this vacation of a lifetime.

In November of 2005, Donny and JoAnn moved to Wilton to be closer to medical facilities. He received his first kidney dialysis treatment at Medcenter One in December of 2007. Dialysis became a new "normal" for the couple as they traveled to Bismarck three days per week. Many friendships grew as fellow patients and nurses became a second family to the Axts. Donny's smile and light-hearted spirit lit up the dialysis center.

Donny was a member of Sunne Lutheran Church and the Wilton Senior Citizens Club. He looked forward to coffee and good conversation with his friends at the center.

During the summer, you could often find Donny sitting behind the wheel of his golf cart, his beloved husky, "Mariety," keeping stride, or seated alongside him, as they traveled up and down the streets of Wilton.

His children will forever cherish the silly songs their dad composed and sang about them. In addition to many things, JoAnn will miss drinking coffee with her "Donny Boy."

Just a little over a month before his passing, Donny's family surprised him with a 70th birthday party. He was elated to see all the loved ones who came to celebrate and remarked, "I never knew I had so many friends."

Donny is survived by his wife, JoAnn; his daughters, Tiffany (Dallas) Messner, Cedar Park, Texas, Valerie Axt (Jeff Reiner), Fargo, Dixie Axt (Josiah Hunt), Las Vegas, Jennifer (Samuel) Shea, Phoenix, Lacey (Chris) Becker, Anamoose, and Pamela (Donald) Vetter and Cheryl (Jesse) McCormack, both Wilton; his sons, Jeff (Missy) Axt, McClusky, and Greg Axt (Becca Roethler), Wilton; his grandchildren: Shelby (Nick) Brandenburg; Nicole, Bethanie and Chase Messner; Sarah and Anna Axt; Olivia Shea; Everette and Greyson Becker; Jada, Donavin, Maxwell and Ellie Vetter; and Joanie McCormack; one sister, Lorraine (Wesley) Kahler, Chanhassen, Minn.; one brother, LaVern (Mary) Axt, Bismarck; his special friend, Michelle Lies, Garrison; and his beloved dog, Mariety.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Deidre Axt; his granddaughter, Grace Axt; his parents; two brothers; two sisters; and his mother-in-law and father-in-law.

The family would like to say a special thanks to all of the nurses at the Sanford Dialysis Center for the extraordinary care he received during his seven years of dialysis.

Go to www.eastgatefuneral.com to share memories of Donald and to sign the online guest book.