Obituary of Donald Theodore Magnuson

Donald Theodore Magnuson, 81 of Barnum died Thursday, July 10, 2003 in his home. He was born August 3, 1921 in Lunds Valley, North Dakota to John and Myrtle (Landa) Magnuson. In 1928 he moved with his family to Robbinhood, Sask., Canada, where at the age of 12, Donald worked as a cowboy. In 1936, his family moved to Bagley and Don helped on the family farm. He moved to Duluth in 1940 where he worked at Klearflax until he joined the Army during WWII. After the war, he returned to Duluth and worked on the Ore Docks for many years. He married Vera Backstrom on July 27, 1947 in Barnum. Don worked at the Goodell Mortuary in Barnum before taking a job with the Carlton County Highway Dept. He worked for the Highway Dept. for more than 20 years, retiring in 1983. Don was a member of Sandy Lake Baptist Church since 1956. He was a Deacon in the church, served on the church board, and was a Sunday School teacher and superintendent. He also served in many other capacities at the church. Don was active at the Duluth Gospel Mission where he had served on the Board of Directors. During the early 1970's , he was one of organizers of the Drive In Church in Barnum. He enjoyed traveling, sight-seeing, reading westerns and agate picking. Don was preceded in death by 2 infant sons, Dennis and Michael and one brother, James Magnuson. He is survived by his wife, Vera of Barnum, two daughters, Connie Tackett of Barnum and Veeda (Roger) Tornes of Osage, Iowa; five grandchildren, Brent and Damon (Jennifer) Tackett, both of Barnum, Bjorn, Dane and Hagen Tornes all of Osage, Iowa; three great grandchildren, Alexander and Zachary Tackett and Nakita Jacobson all of Barnum. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 13, 2003 in Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th St. in Cloquet. Visitation will continue from 1 until the 2:00 p.m. funeral service Monday, July 14, 2003 in Sandy Lake Baptist Church in Blackhoof Township. Military Honors will be accorded by the Cloquet Combined Honor Guard. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in Barnum.