Donald Leroy Severson

Severson, Donald L. "Chip"
Age 83 of Minnetonka, passed away peacefully on November 3, 2025, surrounded by his family. He is preceded in death by his parents, Mel and Eleanor Severson, and his brother, Doug Severson. He is survived by his bride of 60 years, Jeanne; two daughters, Kris and Julie, two sons-in-law, Allan and Brad, and five beloved grandchildren, Evan, Dylan, and Tristan Green, and Avery and Noah Reynolds.
Born and raised in Braham, MN, Chip enjoyed a close-knit family full of cousins. He was active in sports: baseball, football, track, and especially basketball. After high school, he completed two years at Gustavus University and then switched gears when he realized he "would rather make things than tell someone else how to make things." He attended Dunwoody Industrial Institute for two years to become a mechanical technician. Chip's path then led him to the US Navy, where he proudly served as a flight navigator and later earned the rank of Lieutenant. In 1965, he married the love of his life, Jeanne Solum, and together they raised two wonderful daughters who brought immeasurable joy and pride. Chip worked as a machinist for Honeywell until 1972. He was then hired at Rosemount (later Emerson) where he worked for the remainder of his career until he retired in 2007. He enjoyed his job so much, he said it never felt like work. His high school athleticism continued into his adult life with league basketball, then running and later in life, long distance biking with S.O.B. (Saints on Bikes). These activities brought him both physical and emotional health. A member of All Saints Lutheran Church in Minnetonka for more than 50 years, service was a big part of Chip's life, to his church: collecting pop cans for world hunger, painting walls, and cutting down buckthorn on the church property; to his neighbors: fixing lawnmowers, bikes, radios, or anything broken, plowing their driveways (or the street!) and helping anyway he could. Chip believed in living simply and doing good. His kindness and optimism will forever leave a mark on everyone whose life he touched.
A Celebration of Life will be held at All Saints Lutheran Church in Minnetonka, MN on January 2, 2026. Visitation at 10AM. Service at 11AM. Memorials suggested to Habitat for Humanity.