Donovan Henry Wischer

On Thursday, April 17, Donovan Henry Wischer, devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away at the age of 96 in Fargo, ND. Donovan, or Don, was born on December 30, 1928, in Lawton, ND, to farm couple Henry and Amy Wischer. His early schooling was in Lawton, ND, but the more serious learning occurred on the family farm. He told stories that at 10 years old, he was allowed to drive himself into town for "church" in a 1928 Model A Ford. Henry left behind his brothers and family farm to buy more fertile land near Argusville. Don attended his last two years of high school at Gardner and would share the humorous, yet true, story that he graduated third out of a class of only three students in 1946. After high school, Don attended two years at North Dakota Agricultural College (currently NDSU). He quit school to go back to the farm after his father suffered an injury. Don returned to school in 1950 and attended Interstate Business College. On a blind date in 1951, he met the "love of his life", Ethel Devina Johnson from Enderlin, ND. After dating for 6 months, they were married on September 30, 1951, and moved near the Wischer family farm in Argusville. In 1959, Don left farming and began working as an IH farm equipment salesman for the Arthur Mercantile. While in Arthur, ND, he was active in the Methodist Men's Group, the Investment Group, and helped anyone "in need". In the mid-1960s, Don rented their first cabin on Cotton Lake and spent many hours pulling family, friends, and strangers behind the boat, water skiing. Don and Ethel continued to enjoy the "lake life" for many years. After his father retired, Don returned to Argusville to farm in 1972 and worked the farm for the next 24 years. They shared 26 winters (and many "Ole and Lena jokes") in Alamo, TX, with a wonderful "snowbird" community. Following Don's retirement from farming in 1996, their final move was to Fargo, enjoying new friends at both Prairie View Estates and Bethany Retirement Living. Don enjoyed golfing and had his one and only "hole in one" at the Leonard Course. He was famously known at Bethany for handing out candy and delivering fresh popcorn to his fellow residents and staff. Don was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 68 years, Ethel, who died unexpectedly following surgery on November 19, 2019. He mourned her passing until the day he died. Don is survived by his daughter, Sandra Trydahl Teodori (husband, Richard; sons, John Trydahl (Martha), Stephen Teodori (Jessica) and Christopher Teodori (Shawna); daughter, Suzanne Landon (husband, Mark; son, Eric Landon) and son, Brian Wischer (wife, Jane; children William Wischer (Anna), Brynne Wischer (Dusty Brend), Liza Edmiston (Brian), David Wischer (Paige) and Gregory Wischer (Joanna). Don, who was known as "PaPa Don", was also a proud great-grandfather to 9 great-grandchildren: Maylin Trydahl, Jacob Trydahl, Kensington Wischer, West Wischer, Bennett Edmiston, Beau Edmiston, Don- ovan Wischer, Chloe Teodori, and Palmer Wischer. The family requests that no memorial contributions or flowers should be sent. Also, no formal funeral service or burial will be held.