Donald Gooselaw

donald gooselaw

Donald W. Gooselaw, 79, Fargo passed away Monday, October 31, 2011 at Bethany Retirement Living, Fargo.

Don was born on June 24, 1932 in St. Vincent, MN, to James and Ione (Kocian) Gooselaw. Upon moving to Grand Forks with his family, Don attended St. Michaels Elementary School and graduated from St. James Academy in 1951. After attending Mohler Barber College, Fargo, Don enlisted in the U.S. Navy on December 14, 1951. Don served as a barber on the repair ship USS Delta during the Korean conflict. Don was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy on November 30, 1955.

Don moved back to Moorhead after his discharge and attended New York Beauty School. Don married Dolores Maiers in September, 1958. They had three daughters, Jamie, Marianne and Renee. They owned and operated several businesses in the F-M Area, including The Sports Bar, The Fashion Villa and most notably Mr. Don's State College of Beauty. Don was known for his love of sports. He played in many softball leagues and also coached the Fargo Blazers Hockey Team.

During his retirement, Don was involved in the Roger Maris Celebrity Golf Tournament and enjoyed working and playing golf at Edgewood Golf Course. Don was also a proud member of multiple fraternal organizations.

Don is survived by his children, Jamie (Adrian) Lund, Chesterfield, MO, Marianne (Joe) Johnson, Fargo, ND, and Renee (Murry) Herrmann, Detroit Lakes, MN, brother, James (Lorraine) Gooselaw, Detroit Lakes, MN, and sister, Margaret (Ron) Cleem, St. Vincent, MN.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Dolores, sister, Mary Jane Barsness and two grandchildren, Ruby Lund and Nicholas Herrmann.

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  1. Los Angeles CAJamie, Marianne and Renee, I’ve been thinking about you 3 all week. I was so sorry to hear about your dad. Lots of fun times with him and your mom and tons of wonderful memories. Much love to all of you.

  2. West Fargo ND
    Dear Jamie, I am sorry to read about the loss of your father. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Jane DuBord-Hill

  3. Chippewa Falls WIMy sympathies to all of Don’s family and friends. Lots of good memories of times with our cousins the Gooselaw’s and Easters. One Christmas Eve, after Midnight Mass, the Gooselaws were sitting aroundthe kitchen table and said “Let’s go to Chippewa for Xmas” and jumped inthe old Hudson and when we got up–they were there! There were no good roads either. Fond memories. Farewell, cousin Don. Jackie

  4. Covina CaMy sincere sympathies to Don’s family & relatives. I have such fond memories of Don & the entire Gooselaw family. I had some of the best times of my life at the Gooselaw residence during my college days. Those “round table” discussions were the livliest ever with Don & Jim being the enthusiastic oraters & mom trying to be the mediator! He was a multi-talented & entertaining individual whom many people loved. Rest in peace, Don.

  5. Rancho Cucamonga CaSo sorry to hear about Dons passing.I saw him last Sept and enjoyed seeing him so much. Several of us saw him at the rest home and he was happy to give us a tour .Always remember him cutting my hair when I was young in our little of Noyes, Minnesota
    where we had some good times. Thinking of his girls and family.
    Cousin Linda Easter

  6. Council Bluffs IowaWhat great memories going to visit Aunt Lucy and Uncle Jack and cousins Ron and Nancy and Dolores and Don on every summer vacation from the mid 1950’s through the 1970’s. It was so awesome learning as an eleven year old little league ball player that my cousin Don was best friends with a New York Yankee. Then in the summer of ’61 visiting Roger Maris at his home in Raytown, Missouri, going to the Yankee and Athletics ball game, seeing Maris hit home run #52 or was it #54, I can’t remember for sure, and getting a game ball sign by all the New York Yankees from Roger after the game. Thanks so much Don for making that great memory happen. My dad was as excited as I was and talked about that experience his entire life. I still have the ball today and all the great sports memories like visiting the Vikings summer training camp in Bemidji and getting up close and personal with some of the players, including Fran Tarkington. I don’t want to forget mentioning playing touch football with me and by buddies on a record breaking warm Thanksgiving Day in Iowa and throwing the baseball around at the lake in Minnesota
    . I don’t want to keep rambling on but I have to mention my late brother Denny who had downs syndrome. He thought Don was the greatest. Don even arranged to have Denny sit at the head table at the Roger Maris Celebrity Golf Tournament Banquet with Don and all the sports legends and celebrities. Denny bragged about that event his whole life. Don will be greatly missed not by just his immediate family but everyone who’s lives he touched. Thanks again for straightening my curly hair when I was 16 so I could have the Beatle hair cut look I wanted back in the mid 60’s.

    See ya later Don.

    Jim Nagel

  7. Mesa ArizonaKeith and I are deeply saddened by the loss of Don. Don was a wonderful Boss, and teacher to me in the Hairstyling business and a true friend to Keith and I. We all have lost a wonderful person. Our hearetful prayers are with his entire family.

  8. Chandler Az.I am so sad to see that my old friend and Fargo Blazer’s coach, “Goose” passed away. What a great guy and what a character he was! During the break at the end of the first period against Roseau Goose gave us a pep talk by saying, “Good job fellas! We have to get more shots on this goaltender! Remember fellas, he’s only an amateur!” I raised my hand and said, “Goose! We’re only amateurs too!”
    He laughed out loud and said, “God dammit, you’re right!”
    I hope there’s a large group of former Blazer’s in attendance to say “goodbye” to this very special man who made us laugh so many times and allowed us to cement away some very fond memories of young men playing a game they loved for a man whom they loved even more!
    God bless you Goose!!
    Don Dumais

  9. Washburn North Dakota
    I was a student at Mr. Don’s State College of Beauty in 1971-72. What a great guy! I remember him talking about being friends with Roger Maris. Also some of us would go to watch the “Blazers” play -he was so proud of them. Some of his students have kept in touch over the years and had hoped for a reunion-guess that it is not to be. Rest in peace-Mr. Don.

  10. Mayville ND
    My sympathies to the Gooselaw family.I was one of Mr Don’s students in 1971-72.He was an excellant teacher and a good friend. When he was in the Mayville area he would stop in and visit.Its been 39 yrs since I graduated from beauty school and am still doing hair.He taught me well. Thanks for the memories

  11. Chippewa Falls WisconsinOur sincere sympathy to Marianne, Renee and Jamey during this sad time. All of your cousins from Wisconsin are thinking of you and keeping you in our prayers. We are so glad we were able to visit Don last Fall. He looked so good and was joking with us. Our sympathy to Jim and Lorraine and their families and Margaret and Ron. Take care everyone until we can see you all again!

    Sincerely,
    Chuck, Mary, Jolene and Brandon Ruf

  12. Fargo I am so sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Don’s family. He was a cool guy. I will never forget his smile and his little laugh. God Bless.

    Vanessa Bryn
    Activity Coordinator from willow lane @ Bethany

  13. Grand Forks ND
    I knew Donald when I was growing up in St. Vincent and when he was in Grand Forks. I used to come down to Grand Forks and stay with him. He was a year younger than me. We used to walk down to the pool and swim at Riverside pool. Sorry to hear of his passing.


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