Don McAllister
October 28, 1933 ~ February 26, 2016
Donald C. McAllister died peacefully on Friday February 26, 2016 at the age of 82, at home with his wife Jeaninne at his side.
Don was born on October 28, 1933 in Green Bay, WI to Fred and Josephine McAllister. Shortly after, the family moved to Wausau where he attended grade school. He attended high school at Aquinas High School in LaCrosse WI, graduating in 1951.
In 1951, Don and Marcus Resch were instrumental in the foundation of the Brothers of St. Pius X; a diocesan Brotherhood for the Catholic Diocese of Lacrosse. Sixteen years of his life were dedicated to the Brothers. No task, no job, no obstacle was too big for him to tackle.
In 1973, he was united in marriage to Jeaninne (Spalla) in DeSoto, WI. He was a salesman for importers of religious goods and traveled to Catholic Stores in the Midwest. In 1974, Mr. Henry Hurley was going to close his store, Hurley’s Religious Goods, and Don asked if he could purchase the store.
Don and Jeaninne moved to Fargo, ND, in December of 1974 with their two young sons Damian and Mark, to purchase Hurley’s Religious Goods. In 1975, they settled into a new home, business, and welcomed their daughter, Bridget. He was able to serve the Lord with supplying the clergy and their churches with all their needs. His son, Mark, and daughter, Bridget, joined Don and Jeaninne at Hurley’s Religious Goods.
Don’s favorite things were visiting with the clergy and assisting them with their needs when they came into the store, and mowing the lawns at the lake and at home. He was an avid Green Bay Packer fan, was proud to have attended the ice bowl game, and would happily take time to discuss past or current players. He enjoyed going to the grandchildren’s events at school and helping with the parish bazaar. He was an avid supporter of the Catholic School systems.
He is survived by his wife: Jeaninne McAllister of Fargo, ND; three children: Damian (Tami) McAllister of Fargo, ND; Mark McAllister of Fargo, ND; Bridget (Ross) Bowden of Fargo, ND; eleven grandchildren: Harrison, Josephine, Alyssa, Ethan, Simon, Braiden, Emilia, Matthias, Nathanial, Margaret and Adam.
Don was proceeded in death by his parents, Fred and Josephine, and a brother, Richard McAllister.
Visitation at St. Anthony of Padua Church March 3 at 5:00-7:00pm with Vigil at 7:00pm
Funeral service at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 710 S 10th St. Fargo, March 4 at 11:00 am with visitation 1 hour before. Place of burial: Holy Cross Cemetery North.
In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to JPII Endowment Fund.
He was under the care of Hospice of The Red River Valley. A special thank you to everyone involved in bringing him home
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Janine,
Don was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. He was a model for all.
He will be missed.
Gail
Sorry to hear your loss Damien and Mark as shanley class mates my condolences to you and your family,
Heartfelt condolence to you all. Always enjoyed my visits with Don when stopping in at Hurley’s over the years. God’s peace as you hold the treasured memories in your heart forever.
Janine, Damian, Mark and Bridget. Vetta and I were sorry to hear about Don’s passing. We are out of the state but our thoughts and prayers will be with your family.
My dear McAllister Family: it is with greatful affection and love that I offer you my deepest sorrows at the death of Don. I just spoke to him last week, and what a great conversation we had. He spoke about how hard it was to breath, but said he did not get this far without his Catholic Faith.
Please know I will be there in spirit, and will offer a Mass for Don, and you his “super duper Family!””
Father Chad Wilhelm
My prayers are with you all. Will really miss visiting with Don when I make my next visit to Hurley’s he always had time to visit and catch up on all the kids. He will be missed.
Barb
Jeanine, Bridget and all,
Please know that you and your loved ones are in our prayers. Don was a great person to know. Throughout it all, he stayed strong. It was wonderful to witness the family vigil by his side at Sanford Hospital. This was a great testament to his faith and its impact on his loved ones. May God immensely bless you and your loved ones at this trying time.
Peter & Family
Jeannine:
Today I was thinking of you and saw online of Don’s passing.
My sympathy to you and your family.
My arms are around you and my heart is always with you.
Love You, Janis Jensen
I’m sorry to hear of the loss of Don to this earth and offer my sincere condolences to his family, especially to his wife Janine who always gave charitable donations for my Migrant Ministry.
May God grant full consolation to all his loved ones and may Don rest now in God’s loving arms.
Sincerely,
Sister Bernadette
Jeanine and family: Our deepest sympathy to all of you on the loss of dear Don. Always enjoyed our visits at Hurley’s, when I came in to purchase something. May the Lord give you comfort and peace in your grieving and know that we care and will hold yous in our prayers. God Bless the memory of Don!
Don and Joyce Biewer
I knew Don through my association the deacon formation program for the Bismarck Diocese for about 20 years. He always was the “go to” person especially when I needed something & needed help trying to remember & or decide what I needed in our program, or ordering books, or albs or stoles, or pins….always was treated with kindness & respect. May God bless him with eternal life. I always looked forward to visiting & interacting with him at the “old store”, & the new one as well.
Janine and family: So sorry to hear about Don. Don was a very caring man. We regret that we will not be able to attend the service we are out of the state. Our prayers and heartfelt thoughts are with you.
My deepest sympathy to you Janine and your family. I grew up going to the McAllister house often as Don’s parents were my Godparents. Christmas was especially wonderful as their tree was the largest one I had ever seen and the homemade caramels melted in your mouth. I have great memories of those early years and just wanted you to know that my prayers and thoughts are with you and your children.
The prayers and support of the National Church Goods Association are with you all at this time.
Don was a influential member, who will be greatly missed.
Our condolences to the McAllister Family.
The NCGA Board of Directors
Many prayers for the McAllister family…So sorry to hear of Don’s death. May God hold you all tightly as you go through the days and weeks to come…
I am so saddened to read of Don’s death. hE was such a dear, special man. I met him when you took over Hurley’s, as my mother, Stell Rooney, worked there. You and Don were so kind to her and we all valued your friendship. Heaven has gained a true angel! Love and prayers…..
Sorry for your loss. We will miss him.
Don was the ideal of a christian gentleman and a better business man than my friend Hank.
Our thoughts are with the McAllister family, We value all Don did our community. Your wonderful family continues to do great work for our community and schools. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Our deepest sympathy to you Jeaninne and all your family. Don will be remembered in our thoughts and prayers. Wish we could have been there with you. All our love to all of you.
Tony and Marge Spalla
Janine, Damian, Mark and Bridget.
I have not been in touch with you in some time and was very sorry to read that Don had passed. He was such a kind and caring man, he will be missed by many in the community including myself. My deepest sympathies to you all.
Janine & family, we are so sorry to hear about the passing of Don. May Our Mother Mary and Angels guide him into Heaven and present him to Jesus. GOD’S WILL, nothing more, nothing less, nothing else.
I remember spending many a long Lent, in the McAllister’s garage in Fargo, separating (stripping) palm branches, in preparation for Palm Sunday. There was always much laughter and camaraderie.
Blessings of peace for this family, and all those who loved Don.
Jeaninne and family, my condolences to you on your loss.
Dear Jeaninne, Damian, Mark and Bridget,
I just wanted to say what a blessing it was to know Don and how grateful I am for all of the assistance he gave to me, my brother priests, the Dioceses of Fargo, of Lacrosse, and Sioux Falls and countless others. He always greeted me with good cheer and was most helpful.
I also wanted to add what a blessing it was to be able to be at his bedside and celebrate the Holy Sacraments of Reconciliation and Anointing with him and pray with you Jeaninne for your beloved husband.
May God reward Don for his love and dedication to the Faith of Jesus Christ and His beloved bride the Church. I love all of you in Christ and am blessed by your loving service to the Church and the patient kindness that you always show to me, even when I am last minute difficult priest in need!
May God bless all of you and keep you close to His Heart. Amen.
Eternal Rest grant unto Don McAllister O Lord, and may the Perpetual Shine upon Him. Amen.
Our sincere sympathy to the McAllister family, our prayers to you during this sad time, we are thinking of you He will be so missed at St. Anthony’s.
My sympathy to the family for the loss of Don. Being family friends I have known Don since my youth. I remember many visits to the brother’s farm. Don was always the leader that everyone looked up to for advice. I remember the joyful event of his wedding and many more of his journeys through his life, I know everyone who knew Don will miss his, as will I.