Donald Emil Vyskocil

Vyskocil, Donald "Doc" Age 88 and 6 days. Don was #9 of Edward and Agnes' 12 children, arriving on November 3, 1935. His family has always known him as "Doc", however the origins of that nickname are unclear - maybe related to a sick or injured puppy. He loved to play corkball along with other sports. His youngest sister MaryLou likes to relate that he kept the boys away from her (although Charlie still got her anyways). He graduated from Montgomery High School in 1954. He spent some time driving a truck for Green Giant, and then entered the Army in March of 1956. After artillery training at Fort Chaffee in Arkansas, Don was sent to Casablanca Morocco where he worked in the office of the shipping yard. He then was transferred to the reserves in 1959, and officially honorably discharged in March of 1962. Don worked at Graham's Towing in South Minneapolis, and Sandie used to go there with her friend Karen (Johnson) Boatman to get gas and talk with the guys. Don and Sandie's first official date was in February 1960 when they went to the Prom Ballroom for dancing with Jeane (Lovejoy) & Barnie Hughes and Eddie & Anna (Faldoe) Vyskocil. They knew it was something special from the start and soon started to discuss the future. They were married August 6, 1960 at Holy Redeemer Church in Montgomery with their reception at the American Legion. After a honeymoon at Elm Island Lake, they lived in an apartment at 36th Street and Portland Avenue in South Minneapolis. The next place was 22nd Street and Harriet where they were caretakers. On March 4, 1961, their first son Gregory Donald was born. Don started working in the tool room at Honeywell as a Punch Press Operator. On March 8, 1962 their daughter Lynee Marie was born, however due to pregnancy difficulties and an early birth, she died on March 9, 1962 and was buried in Fort Snelling Cemetery. In December 1962 Don and Sandie bought their first (and only) house in Coon Rapids. And November 14, 1963 Becky Lynn was born, and October 24, 1966 Daniel Michael was born. They became founding members of Church of the Epiphany, a church that they continued their membership throughout their lives. The next few years sped by as they were raising their family, although Don and Sandie made time for fishing, bowling, him deer hunting with his brothers and nephews every November, and spending time with friends and family. Don was advanced to a tool grinder position at Honeywell. Don and Sandie bought a fifth wheel trailer that was set on the north shore of Mille Lacs Lake and loved spending as much time as possible there every summer. The first of their grandchildren, Nicholas Andrew arrived in May of 1985, with additional grandchildren arriving in September 1987 (Michael David), November 1987 (Christopher James), March 1989 (Danielle Marie), August 1990 (Cassandra Lee), and November 1991 (Elizabeth Anne). Don retired from Honeywell in 1998 after 38 years. Don successfully underwent a quadruple bypass in December 2002 but that didn't slow Don down for long. Don and Sandie enjoyed their time by fishing, bowling, traveling including to casinos, and still spending time with friends and family. The first of their great grandchildren arrived in 2010, with Wesley arriving in April and Aliyah in August. Don and Sandie were both so overjoyed with the carrying on of their legacy with their great grandchildren. Additional great grandchildren arrived in 2012 (Adrian & Kaylee), 2015 (Elijah), 2016 (Amaya), 2017 (Landon & Madisyn), 2018 (Luca), 2019 (Lincoln & Tommy), 2020 (Braiden), 2022 (Crosby), 2023 (Evan). Don underwent an aortic valve replacement in 2014 and starting in 2018 his kidney disease progressed to a point where it started affecting his life, although he was not one to let anything hold him down for long. The next years brought several hospitalizations, but every time Don fought hard to keep going and maintaining independence and continuing to do the things he loved. Don and Sandie celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2020 with a drive-by event due to COVID, but in 2021 they celebrated 60+1 with a big party. They were able to celebrate 2 more anniversaries together in 2022 and 2023. Don entered Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids on October 29, 2023 and was found to be in Respiratory Failure and Congestive Heart Failure. Doctors tried to maintain a careful balance of treating the issues without causing further damage to his heart and kidneys. Sandie ended up with a positive COVID result on October 31, 2023, and on November 1st, Don also tested positive which resulted in him remaining in isolation at the hospital. Don was able to celebrate his 88th birthday in the hospital on November 3rd with a visit from his sister Viola and her daughter Joann (with his other sister MaryLou on Facetime) to sing him Happy Birthday, and a visit from his grandson Nick and family with a Dairy Queen Snicker's Blizzard to end his day. And on Saturday November 4th, Sandie was well enough to visit him in the hospital. On Tuesday November 7th, Don made the choice to go home on hospice, and arrangements were made for him to be transported on Thursday, November 9th at 11:00 in the morning. However, Don continued to decline from Tuesday on, and on Thursday, November 9th at 12:48pm surrounded by several family members, Don passed from this world into the next with his Lord. Don was preceded in death by his daughter Lynee, parents Edward and Agnes and siblings Hank, Blackie, George, Irene, Eddie, Elsie, Raymond, Millie and John. Don is survived by his loving wife Sandie of 63 years, children Greg (Tammy), Becky (Dale Moore), Dan, grandchildren Nick (Katie), Mike (Laura), Chris (Brittany), Danielle (Todd Strege), Cassie and Elizabeth (Jared); great grandchildren Wesley, Aliyah, Adrian, Kaylee, Elijah, Amaya, Landon, Madisyn, Luca, Lincoln, Tommy, Alaina, Braiden, Crosby and Evan; sisters Viola Kelsey, MaryLou Schmitz, sister in law Fern Vyskocil, many loving nieces and nephews, and other family and friends.

Tributes

Donald Emil Vyskocil

November 3, 1935 - November 9, 2023

Tributes

Donald Emil Vyskocil

November 3, 1935 - November 9, 2023

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