Donald Aden

Don was born on November 5, 1938, at home in Jackson County, Minnesota, to the late Walter and Frieda (Baumgart) Aden.  In love, his parents brought him to the waters of holy baptism on November 27.  In 1952, he made his confirmation vows of lifelong faithfulness to his Savior, Jesus.  God graciously watched over and blessed His child all of Don’s days.

Don was a 1956 graduate of Okabena High School and also graduated from the University of Minnesota.  He served his country in the United States Army from ’60-62.  On October 2, 1962, he married Janice Carsten.  They were blessed with a faithful and loving marriage for 55 years before Jan passed in February of 2018.  In their early years Don was proud to manage Wilder Farms (a 1000-acre farm in Wilder, MN with 13,000 head of cattle).  In 1974, they relocated to Olivia, MN, where he worked for North Central Ag Service, helping to manage agriculture properties in southern Minnesota and surrounding states.  He finished the last few years of his career in the Renville County Assessor’s Office.  In 2003, Don and Jan, retired in Alexandria, MN to enjoy the lakes they loved.  Don and Jan began to spend their winter months in Texas, where they made many more wonderful friends.

Don loved his family and enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren playing sports or an instrument or singing in a choir.  He played (sports & trumpet) and sang in the college and church choir himself.  He was an active member of the Lions Club and the Chamber of Commerce in Olivia and served on the Church council in various positions both at Zion in Olivia and at St. Paul in Alexandria.  In retirement, he discovered a gift for woodcarving.  His new passion didn’t keep him from getting out to catch more fish or cheer on his Minnesota sport teams.

In His infinite wisdom and grace, his Savior called him home for the holidays, at the age of 81.

Don is survived by his children: Shelly (Rodney) Decker, Darin (Karla) Aden, and Karla (Lyle) Mullenbach; his sister Linda Olson; his brothers and sisters-in-law: Judy (Jim) Stumpf,  Jim (Rosie) Carsten, Joan (Gary) Erpestad; his eight grandchildren: Erica (Dan) Stephens, Jason (Kenzie) Decker, Caitlin Decker, Lydia, Maya, Joshua, and Anna Aden, and Adam Mullenbach; his great granddaughters, Everly and Ella Stephens, as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Jan; his parents Walt and Frieda; his father and mother-in-law: Jack and Harriet Carsten, his sister: LaVonne Leifgren, and his brother-in-law, Dale Olson.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 2, at 10am at St. Paul's Lutheran Church.  The funeral service will be at 11am with interment to follow at Geneva Cemetery.

Dad’s confirmation verse was Luke 11:28 “Blessed is he who hears the Word of God and keeps it.”  We know Dad wasn’t perfect, but we’re grateful for the example of keeping the Word of God we had from Dad and Mom and our grandparents, aunts, uncles, and more.  We will try to follow your lead.   Thanks, Dad!   Give Mom a hug for us.   We’ll miss you!   Love, Shelly, Darin, & Karla and your family