Donald “Wino” Weinkauf, age 66, of Hardwick, Minnesota, died peacefully on Wednesday, March 9, 2022, at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 13, 2022, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Hartquist Funeral Home – Luverne Chapel. A short memorial service will be held at 3:45 on Sunday, March 13, 2022, with burial to follow at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne. To view a complete life history and sign an online registry, please visit www.hartquistfuneral.com
Donald Eugene Weinkauf came into this world on Dec 17, 1955. He was born in Pipestone, Minnesota, to Ramona (Lear) and Duane Weinkauf. Don lived his childhood on the farm near Jasper, Minnesota, and graduated from Jasper High School in 1973, going on to Pipestone Vo-Tech where he studied meat cutting.
Don was united in marriage to Rebecca Christensen on August 17, 1974, and to this union were born three girls: April (1975), Amber (1978) and Arrin (1984).
Don and Becky owned Don’s Meat Market in Hardwick until 1986. Don made the best beef jerky and people would travel from miles around to buy it. It was during these years that Don developed very deep friendships and gained the nickname Wino. He was passionate about fast-pitch softball and loved the night lights of the ball diamond. Wino spent many hours sharing this love with his girls by playing catch in the backyard.
Don went to work at Bayliner Marine in Pipestone to build boats, celebrating 25 years of employment with them. He again developed very close relationships with friends and co-workers that lasted the test of time.
He then moved into the role of the facilities manager of the Good Samaritan Society – Mary Jane Brown Home in Luverne. He retired from the home in July 2020. It was here where he really found his calling. He was very proud of his work, even being selected as Employee of the Year in 2014. He retired from Good Sam in July 2020.
Wino loved spending time with his girls and especially loved music. They enjoyed concerts and saw many of the greats: Heart, Paul McCartney, Bob Seger, Fleetwood Mac and The Stones. Don was fun-loving and down to earth; he could talk to anyone and always had a smile on his face. He would say, “Do what makes you smile.”
Don is fondly remembered by his daughters, April (Heath) Kooiman, Amber (Brian) Hoogestraat, and Arrin Weinkauf (Tony Buchholz); granddaughter Macy Kooiman; grandsons Elliot, Hudson and Cooper Hoogestraat; and bonus grandchildren Dane and Vail Buchholz. Wino is also lovingly remembered by so many friends that call him brother.
He is survived by his siblings Pam (Jim) Schloendorf of Pipestone, Deb (Doug) Sorenson of Madison, South Dakota, and Jerry (Shawn) Weinkauf of Woodstock, Minnesota, and sister-in-law Kristie (Dennis) Weinkauf of Jasper and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Don is preceded in death by his parents, Duane and Ramona Weinkauf, his brothers Dennis Weinkauf and Brad Weinkauf, grandparents, nephew Justin Weinkauf, and brother-in-law Sam Comp.
Blessed be his memory.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Hardwick Community Fund.
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