Donald James Axtman
February 25, 1949 ~ April 16, 2024
Born in:
St. Paul, Minnesota
Resided in:
Lake Ida , Minnesota
Memorial Service:
Don Axtman, 75, passed away at his home at Lake Ida on Monday, April 16, 2024. He was born February 25th, 1949, in St. Paul, MN. Don grew up in rural Southam, ND, attending school there until 5th grade, and graduated from Crary High School in 1967. After high school, he majored in Business Studies at the former Lake Region Junior College and the University of North Dakota.
Following school, he worked at the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) site in Nekoma, North Dakota. Don married Cathy Hanson on June 18, 1971 in Devils Lake, ND and they made their home there. They welcomed two daughters, Shelly and Cheri. Don also started working in the car business while in Devils Lake.
In 1992, they moved to Grand Forks, ND, where he worked for Hansen Ford as a sales manager for their auto finance store. He loved all things cars and always enjoyed making a “deal.”
In 2005, he was transferred to Bismarck, ND, where they lived until 2009, when they moved to Fargo, ND. Don was able to fulfill his dream of retiring and living on the lake in 2019, when he moved to Lake Ida. There, he enjoyed boating, fishing, perfecting his yard, and socializing with his neighbors. On weekends, he took great pride in entertaining friends and family, especially granddaughters, Paige and Maddy.
Don is survived by his wife, Cathy, daughters Shelly Axtman (Fargo, ND) and Cheri (Stu) Jerger (Moorhead, MN), granddaughters Paige Elaine Jerger and Maddy Lorraine Jerger, sister Cindy (Margie) Schall (Mankato, MN), brother-in-law Verlin Hanson (Acton, CA), and cousin Alan (Colleen) Reed (Dickinson, ND).
He was preceded in death by his parents, mother and father-in-law, Wendell and Elaine (Summer) Hanson, brothers-in-law, Gil Hanson and Darrold Schall, sister-in-law, Candi Hanson, and good friend, Jerry Johnson.
Video Tribute:
Services
Celebration of Life - Friday: April 26, 2024 6:00 pm
Atonement Lutheran Church
4601 S University Dr
Fargo, North Dakota 58104
(701) 237-9651
https://www.atonementfargo.org/
Visitation - Friday: April 26, 2024 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Atonement Lutheran Church
4601 S University Dr
Fargo, North Dakota 58104
(701) 237-9651
https://www.atonementfargo.org/
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My condolences to the Axtman family. I worked with Don for a few years in Bismarck and am sorry to hear of his passing. He was a great man!
We are so sorry for your loss. We are thinking and praying for you.
Sending hugs and prayers for comfort and strength. We are so sorry.
Castle.
One of my favorite things about Don, was the way we would go back and forth in a conversation-giving each other a bunch of “crap” about nothing but it was fun to the 2 of us. It was a good day when I would make him smile and a GREAT day when I could get him to laugh out loud! Thinking of all of you!
So sorry to hear about Donny. I remember our last visit at the lake. What a beautiful place.
We had an awesome visit. Wish we could have had another visit. Love and Prayers for you all.
Hope to see you all at His service. God Bless!
1
We are heartbroken to learn of Don’s passing. He was a gem! We are thinking of you all, sending much love, and all of our prayers.
My condolences to Cheri, Stu, Paige & Maddy, so sorry for your loss. He sounded like quite a great man.
Cathy,
So sorry to hear of Don’s passing. Our sympathy in your loss.
God’s Peace to you all.
Shelly and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
We just heard of Don’s passing. We are so very sorry as we remember Don so full of life and always with a good laugh. May you and your family be filled with lots of fun memories. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Mark and Cindy Flaten
So sorry to hear of Don’s passing. He was a good friend of Don. He was so kind and a caring man. We send our deepest sympathy to his family. Rest in Peace Don. Our love to you all. He will be missed.
So sorry for your loss. Don was a good friend and a nice man He will be missed.
Cathy, Shelly and Cheri, Truly, truly, I send my thoughts and prayers to you all. Don was a very kind-hearted and loving person. My heart goes out to all of you. He will be missed by EVERYONE 🩷
SHELLY, MY CONDOLENCES TO YOUR FAMILY ON THE LOSS OF YOUR DAD. GIVING YOU A GREAT BIG HUG.
Family of Don – growing up we were neighbors – Don was a year older but his sister Cindy was in my class when they attended Crary Public School. So sorry to hear of Don’s passing. Cherish the many memories, no one can take those from you. Thinking of the Axtman family during this difficult time & keeping you in my prayers.
Cathy, Shelly and Sheri and grandkiddos:
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of Don. Can’t imagine what you all are going thru. Cathy you and I went thru a lot together with our Dads and our Moms. Prayers to you all for this difficult time. Thinking of you.
Vicki and Irone
The world lost a Great Man with Dons passing. He was a good friend, leader and teacher and had positive effects on many people.
Don’s family will be in our thoughts and prayers .
My sincere condolences for your loss. Sending warm thoughts and prayers for you and your family.
Cathe and family. So sorry to hear of your loss. Watched the video tribute it was great seeing your family through the years. Those memories will always be with you. Take care my friend. Love you, Ellen (Rogers) Myers
Cathy, Shelly and Cheri,
So very sorry for your loss, lots of great memories from the years that we were neighbors on 3rd St.