Donald “Donnie” Dummer
Donald “Donnie” Dummer, age 88, of Bird Island, MN passed away on Sunday, April 28, 2024, at Prairie View of Hector where he resided for the past 4 years. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, May 17 at 1:15 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bird Island with Rev. George Schmit as celebrant. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be on Thursday, May 16 from 5 to 7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. at Dirks-Blem Funeral Home in Olivia, and will continue one hour prior to the service on Friday at the church.
Donald Joseph Dummer was born on October 29, 1935, to Edward and Gertrude (Posl) Dummer in Bird Island, MN. He attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in Bird Island and grew up working on the family farm, with his brother at Eldy’s Skelly and the City of Bird Island as a police officer and city maintenance worker. For over 40 years, he worked at Athmann’s Inn and the Island Ballroom as a bartender, server, event staff for concerts, weddings, and the annual Polka Fest. Donnie also owned and operated his “Family Shoe Store” on Main Street and retired as a custodian at Bird Island – Olivia – Lake Lillian School District (BOLD) where he had acquired his boiler engineering license. Donnie was a jack of all trades and had a heart for serving others, helping community members with tree trimming, moving snow, cleaning gutters, painting houses, and gladly accepting sweets as payment. He was full of one-liners and quick wit, surely to get a laugh and brighten every person’s day. He was an early riser and mornings were spent with friends having coffee at Athmann’s Inn and the Broaster. His hobby of woodworking was well known – picnic tables, lawn swings, family signs, and lawn ornaments are just a few. The Dummer house was decked out at Christmastime with his handmade Santa, reindeer on the roof, and mechanical waving Frosty the Snowman welcoming every passer-by. You couldn’t miss 720 S. 9th Street during the holidays! The joy of Donnie’s life was his 5 grandchildren. He enjoyed receiving artwork, updates on their sporting, church and school events and spending quality time together. He enjoyed listening to and cheering on the local high school and professional sports teams. He always talked about each event like he was there in-person.
Donnie is survived by his children, Dana Rock of Eden Prairie, and Darren (Eileen) Dummer of Hutchinson; his five grandchildren: Lucia and Rubi Jo Rock; Parker, Hope, and Sydney Dummer. Donnie is also survived by his four siblings: Roger (Donna) Dummer, Elden (Lee) Dummer, Sister Mary Lou Dummer, Jan (Gary) Abraham, and his three sisters-in-law: Bev Dummer, Pat Dummer, Chris Dummer, and many other relatives and friends. Donnie was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Jerry (sister-in-law Elaine), Eddie Dummer, Dick Dummer, Doug Dummer, and Robert Dummer.
His gentle nature, kind heart, and big loving smile will be missed. Blessed be his memory.