Donald R. Erie, 73, Minot, formerly of the Powers Lake area, died Monday, January 9, 2017 in a Minot Hospital.

Donald was born January 16, 1943 at Powers Lake, North Dakota the son of Albert and Wilma (Johnson) Erie. He was raised on the family farm and educated at Powers Lake, graduating in 1961. Donald honorably served his country with the Montana and North Dakota National Guard serving from 1961-1968 and with the Army Reserve Unit in Washington State.

Donald was united in marriage to Teresa Hanson on May 3, 1968 at Kent, Washington. They lived in that area where he was employed with Boeing Company from 1966-1970, working on the 747 flight line.

Donald and Teresa returned to North Dakota, where they settled on a farm South of Powers Lake in Cottonwood Township of Mountrail County, where he worked in partnership with his father in their dairy operation. They continued to farm and raise their family throughout the years until 1993, when he semi-retired and worked various jobs in the area. They moved to Mohall in 1993 and lived there for 15 years. They moved to Minot in 2007.

Donald was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Powers Lake, where he served on the Church Council. He drove school bus for the Powers Lake School District, was a clerk for the Cottonwood Township Board, member of Mountrail Farmers Union, and ND Dairy Association.

Donald\'s greatest pleasure was traveling to all 50 States and 9 foreign countries. Norway was most memorable as he found his grandfather's farm. And for his 70th birthday, the entire family went on a Caribbean cruise. He enjoyed camping, doing yard work and tending to his dog, Tootsie.

Donald is survived by : his wife of 48 years, Teresa of Minot; children, Wade (Shana) Erie, Minot, Donita (Bryan) Hauf, Max, Thomas (Shannon) Erie, Minot, Tonja (Fred) Nordstrom, Minot; grandchildren, Keshia Boice, Kahresa (Shane Beck), Chelsea, Brita and Hannah Erie; Ashley, Amanda (fianc, Daniel Semeryuk) and Nathan Hauf; Tyler, Teagan & Teanna Erie; Devynn & Kaycee Nordstrom; great grandchildren, Lillian Boechler, Dominic Clementich & Keegan Boice; sisters in law, Linda Erie, Wagoner, OK, Judy (Lowell) Vedaa, Stanely, ND & Linda Schmidt, Sioux City, IA; his beloved dog, "Tootsie"; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents, granddaughter, Brooke Nordstrom; brothers, Arthur, Henry and Wallace.

Celebration of Life service: Saturday, January 14, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. in Bethany Lutheran Church, Minot.
** There will be a live webcast of the service at the Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Powers Lake.
Interment: Cottonwood Cemetery, rural Powers Lake, ND later in the Spring of 2017.
Visitation: Friday, January 13th from 3:00-6:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
In lieu of flowers or plants the family prefers memorials to an organization of the donor's choice.