Donald "Don" Mann

Don A. (Donald Arnold) Mann, age 89, passed away on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at Pathstone Living in Mankato.

Don was born on July 7, 1936, to Arnold and Meta (Bade) Mann in Mapleton, MN. He grew up in the Mapleton area and graduated from Mapleton High School in 1954 and attended business school in Minneapolis where he specialized in teletype. He was also a member of the Army National Guard.

Upon graduation, he had accepted a job in Chicago but was also offered one at Minneopa Concrete in Mankato. After talking with his mom, he decided to take the job in Mankato. During his lunch hours, he would take walks in downtown Mankato. He saw a banjo in the window of Backlund's Music Store and decided to take a look. That's where he met Donna Mae Johnson. He bought the banjo, took a few lessons, and got the girl. They were married on July 28, 1958. They had three children, Peggy, Keith, and Royce.

Don and Donna built their first house near Minneopa Golf Club, then bought a farm near Lake Crystal. They farmed for 20+ years, expanding and eventually buying another farm by Beauford. During this time, Don also owned a road construction company, started Doma Concrete, an auction house, Rodeo Pop in Vernon Center, and had a Little Debbie route after they moved to Judson. His last job was working as a handyman (both paid and for himself and his kids).

Don and Donna built their dream house on Washburn's Corner in 2004 and lived there until health issues made it necessary to move to Mankato in 2016.

Don and Donna enjoyed camping during the summer. They stayed in over 200 campgrounds around Minnesota over the years. They also enjoyed trips to Branson, seeing numerous shows. In their younger years, they took a trip to Hawaii and a couple of jaunts to Las Vegas. Don's biggest joy was his family. Any time spent with his kids and grandkids was a good time.

After Donna passed away in 2022, Don moved to an apartment at Pathstone Latitudes, then assisted living and long-term care, also at Pathstone.

Don is survived by his children, Peggy (Britt) Fleming, Keith (Renee), and Royce (Connie). He also has nine grandchildren, Bryanna (James) Terry, Clara (Ryan) Skroch, Danielle (Chris) Comnick, Micayla Mann, Alexandra (Zach) Lopez, Colton and Evan Mann, Marcus (Sophia) Fleming, and Krista (Taylor) Canoles. His great grandchildren are Delilah, Amelia, Willow, Jon, Weston, Evelyn, Aubrey, and a baby girl due in May. He is also survived by his sisters, Judy Spencer and Bev Raimann, and sister-in-law, Pat Johnson, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins who were all important to him.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Donna, in 2022; parents, Arnold and Meta Mann; in-laws, George Johnson and Elsie and Tony Sohre; brother, Darell Mann; brothers-in-law, Charles Raimann, Darrell Spencer, and Russell Johnson.

Visitation will be Wednesday, January 21, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Northview – North Mankato Mortuary. Funeral service will be Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 11:00 with visitation one hour prior to services at Grace Lutheran Church, Fourth and Main Streets, Mankato. Burial will be at Woodland Hills Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the staff at Pathstone for their wonderful care of our dad over the last few years.

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