Donald Karlyle Davidson, 78, of Moose Lake, Minnesota died June 28, 2014 at his home. Don, or "Donnie" as many people called him, was born to Levi and Ida Lydia (Oja) on March 21, 1936 at the family farm in Silver Township, Moose Lake. He was a 1954 graduate of Moose Lake High School where he enjoyed playing basketball and baseball. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed at posts in the United States and West Germany. He was proud to be a veteran. He married Faye Laurene Warloe on January 14, 1960 at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Moose Lake. Don left Moose Lake to pursue a career with the J.C. Penney Company and managed stores in Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, and Iowa. After 40 years in retail management he returned to Moose Lake to retire.
Don was diagnosed with cancer in 2010 and will be remembered by his family, friends, and healthcare team as a hero. His sense of humor and kind disposition always brightened the days of those he met. Don was proud of his Finnish heritage and enjoyed listening to polka music, and caring for flowers and house plants, especially those that were neglected at the plant shops. He also made sure to keep the birds fed and enjoyed bird watching. He collected a variety of things, most notably clocks-of which he had nearly 300 in his small apartment. He also collected loons, owls, outhouses, and animal pelts. He truly enjoyed nature and living in northern Minnesota.

Don is survived by former wife Faye and the families of their six children; Terry A. and Lynne Marie (Raglin) Davidson of Lancaster, Pennsylvania and their daughters Emily Rose and Sara Elizabeth Davidson, Keith Vernon and Trina Marie (Leonard) of Holden, Missouri and their daughters Brooke Taylor and Kelsey Diane Davidson, Natalie Faye and Daniel Neenan of Peosta, Iowa and their daughters Rachel Nicole (Andrew Michael) Schramm and Courtney Lynn Neenan and her fiancé Chad Michael Schultz, Neil Quentin Davidson and his partner Sean Paul Hoops of Seattle, Washington, Brent Kyle and Sara Louise (Osiek) Davidson of Blue Springs, Missouri and their daughters Hailey Faye and Alexa Grace Davidson, and Erik Tyrone Davidson of Liberty, Missouri. One brother Allen Esra and his wife Bernice (Johnson) Davidson of Salem, Oregon, one sister Ardelle Marion Annette Somero of New Ipswitch, New Hampshire, and one sister-in-law Verna (Johnson) Davidson of Gilbert, Arizona. Many nieces, nephews, and friends, including longtime friend, Linda M. Tillman.

Don was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Edsel Edwin Davidson, Florence M. McCullum, Henry R. Davidson, infant Rapheal Davidson, Ralph Melvin Davidson, Roy Wallace Davidson, and Leslie Herman Davidson.

The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to Dr. Gossett, to Dr. Sande and his staff, to Diana Gabrielson who had been his home care aide since his diagnosis, and to St. Croix Hospice for the care they provided to Don. The family suggests creating a bird habitat near your home to honor Don's life.

A private burial at Leonard Cemetery, Kalevala Township is planned. To sign the guestbook online, go to: www.hhkfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are with Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake.