Adolph Francis Donarski

Adolph Francis Donarski was born in Crookston, Minnesota on September 17, 1928, to parents Frank and Belle (Mackowick) Donarski, the second oldest of eight children born to that union. He was baptized, made his first communion, and was confirmed at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception. 

He attended the Cathedral Elementary School, the Carmen Elementary School, and graduated from the Middle River Public School. After a short stay in Middle River, the family moved back to Crookston and Adolph worked for Nick DeBoer, an area farmer, until entering the army in 1947. After his honorable discharge in 1950 he returned to Crookston, bought a gravel truck and began working for the state of Minnesota, hauling gravel. Shortly after that he and his brother Ronald established a gravel hauling business, Donarski Brothers, the business grew and the partnership continued until 1994 when the business was sold to Ron's two sons, Dennis and Gene. Adolph continued working for the new owners until 2006.

He was a member of the Cathedral, VFW-1902 and the Eagles Aerie #873. He liked playing cards, camping, traveling, working with metals, watching television- especially comedy, playing Keno at local casinos and going for coffee at McDonalds.

On June 27, 1953, he married Bernetta Huot at St. Dorothy's Catholic Church in Dorothy, Minnesota. They became parents of daughters Karen and Lynn.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 72 years, Bernetta; his daughters, Karen Donarski of Crookston, MN, and Lynn (Curtis) Petrich of Dilworth, MN; grandchildren, Justin (Keiko) Petrich of Marysville, OH, Heidi (Matt) Dankers of Sartell, MN, and Heather and fiance David Moliter of Hanover, MN; six great-grandchildren, Taiki, Leah, and Lilika Petrich, and Madden, Landon, and Emmy Dankers; a sister, Carol Kawlewski and brother-in-law Ronald Gruhot of Crookston, MN, and sister-in-law Delores Donarski of Grand Forks, ND, and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Belle; his parents-in-law, Hubert and Mildred Huot; brothers and sisters-in-law, Ronald and Mary Jean Donarski, Leo and Jean Donarski, Irvin Donarski, Frank and Elaine Donarski, infant brother Albert, sister Mary Lou Grunhot, and brother-in-law Denis Kawlewski.

A funeral service honoring Adolph's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, September 29, 2025, at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception in Crookston, Minnesota. Visitation will be one hour prior at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow the service, at St. Dorothy Cemetery in Dorothy, Minnesota.

Adolph's family requests that any memorial donations be made to The Cathedral of Immaculate Conception or Cathedral Grade School, or a charity of your choice.