Donald Wambach

Donald "Don" Wambach of Moorhead, MN, passed away peacefully on December 16, 2017, at the age of 92 years old, at Rosewood on Broadway in Fargo, ND.

Donald Joseph Wambach was born to Joseph and Dorothy (Dewey) Wambach on August 15, 1925, in Fargo. The family made their home in the Georgetown, MN, area where he was raised and educated. During his childhood, Don grew a lifetime love of hunting, fishing and trapping.

He entered active duty with the U.S. Navy in 1944, and honorably served his country during the Pacific Theatre of World War II. He survived a kamikaze attack to his ship, the USS Kimberly. Because of injuries received from the attack he was awarded the Purple Heart.

After his honorable discharge in 1946, Donald returned to Georgetown and soon after, began work at the Veteran's Administration office in Fargo. Eventually, he began his long career at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Dakota, where he continued to work as a claims manager until his retirement. His many years at Blue Cross and Blue Shield were the source of many life-long friendships, hunting and fishing trips with his co-workers, as well as an occasional poker party at his home. To this day, people who once worked with Donald remembered him with fond memories of his kindness and humility.

On June 26, 1954, Donald married the love of his life, Geneva Ann Paskey in Georgetown. Soon after they married, they settled into the house in south Moorhead that would be their home for the next 55 years. During that time they built their life that included the births of their three children, Diane, Douglas and Patricia. Throughout the years, the family included several dogs, cats, a rabbit and a certain flock of turkeys. Don and Geneva took the children on camping trips throughout northern Minnesota and Canada with the pickup-camper.

After Don's father died in 1955, he continued to maintain the family farm as well as care for his mother, Dorothy. He worked tirelessly on her garden and was always rewarded with an abundant harvest throughout the summer and into the fall. The farm, located south and west of Georgetown, remains in the family to this day.

After his retirement, Donald remained active by volunteering at Villa Maria in Fargo. Donald later devoted his time to caring for Geneva when she became dependent on him in her struggle with Alzheimer's. Geneva died on February 10, 2009.

He was a longtime member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Moorhead, the American Legion, and the VFW. In addition, he was an instructor for Minnesota Youth Firearms Education for many years.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the caregivers at Rosewood on Broadway for the exceptional care given to our dad.

Donald's family includes: children, Diane (James) Rankine, Lockerbie, Scotland; Douglas (Rochelle) Wambach, Georgetown; and Patricia (Leland) Kemmer, Fargo; grandchildren, Theresa and Heather Rankine, Lockerbie, Brady and Logan Kemmer of Fargo, and Lee Engle, of Moorhead; great-grandchildren, Alexandria Mhari Connelly, Lockerbie, Nicole and Anna Jones, and Gavin Smith; and great-great-granddaughter, Hazel Pederson, all of Fergus Falls; and loving sister-in-law, Charlotte Paskey, Mahnomen, MN; plus several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Don was preceded in death by his wife, Geneva; parents, Joseph and Dorothy Wambach; sister Joyce, and her husband, Ken Pausig; granddaughter, Amanda Kemmer; as well as numerous, aunts, uncles, cousins and in-laws.

Visitation: One-half hour before the funeral with Funeral Mass: Saturday, December 23, 2017, at 12:00 PM at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Moorhead. Interment: Wild Rose Cemetery, Georgetown

Memorials are gratefully preferred in lieu of flowers.