Donald Joseph Dierkhising

Donald J. Dierkhising, 94, Nevis, MN passed away on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. He was born in Freeport, MN to Isadore (I.J.) and Eleanor (Koch) Dierkhising on October 30, 1931. He attended elementary school in Millerville, high school in Glenwood, graduating from Alexandria high school in 1949. After working a year in a sheet metal shop, he enlisted in the Navy where he spent 3 years and 9 months on the U.S.S. Wren, a destroyer. Following discharge, he joined his dad at Dierk's Dairy in Melrose.

Don married Carol Poepping at St. Mary's Catholic Church on July 7, 1956. In 1966, he purchased the Nevis/Akeley creameries, Akeley making butter and Nevis bottling milk, being one of the first in the state to have the plastic milk bottle. Milk was furnished to grocery stores, schools, restaurants and home delivery, under the name Don's Dairy Foods. Don retired after 25 years, thus ending the third generation in the dairy business.

Don was a volunteer fireman for 25 years and served on the city council for 2 ½ terms. He has also been on the church council and has served as an usher since 1956. Following retirement, he built furniture for family and cabinets for the Nevis school, including a roll-top desk and a walnut grandfather clock for his home. Don's hobbies were hunting, fishing and playing pool. He and Carol spent 17 years wintering in Arizona and traveled extensively overseas. He was awarded with a quilt of honor for his military services in 2024. Don and Carol had 5 children, 15 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

Don is survived by: his wife, Carol of nearly 70 years of marriage. Sons, Paul, Karl (Kari), Ross (Lisa), Glen (Gretel) and his daughter, Judy (Derwin) Alberts. Grandchildren are: Joe (Megan), Michael and Sara Alberts; Krista (Jason) LaPlant, Grant (Caitlin) Dierkhising; Kate (Logan) Klettenberg; Amber and Evan Dierkhising; and Hunter, Brayden, Saryn, Andreas, Zemirah, Ameria, and Azariah Dierkhising. Greatgrandchildren: Scarlett, August and Gabriel LaPlant, Trey, Jordy and Quincy Dierkhising, Jackson and Sydney Alberts and Liam Klettenberg.

Don is preceded in death by: his parents; only sibling, Dorothy Widstrom; and daughter-in-law, Lou Ann Dierkhising.

Funeral services will be held at 11 AM Saturday, February 21, 2026 at Our Lady of the Pines Catholic Church in Nevis. Visitation is from 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM.