Donald "Don" Lewis Tebay

Donald “Don” Tebay, age 76, of Austin, Minnesota, peacefully entered Heaven on Monday, April 29, 2024, at his home surrounded by his family. Donald Lewis Tebay was born on August 16, 1947, in Austin, Minnesota at St. Olaf Hospital. He graduated from Austin High School in 1965. Don married his best friend, Colleen Miller on December 6, 1969, at Grand Meadow Lutheran Church. In the 1970s, the couple moved to an acreage outside of Brownsdale, where they resided for over 50 years and raised their family. Don furthered his education at Albert Lea Vo-Tech, graduating in 1974 with an Associate of Arts Degree in Food Science and Food Preservation. During his schooling, he began a part-time internship with Hormel Foods. Following graduation, Don began his 37-year career with Hormel Foods. He spent the first 25 years of his career working in the microbiology lab and ended his career as a pilot plant coordinator. Don was a very faithful man; he was an active member at Crane Community Chapel, including being on the church board, teaching adult Sunday school, and volunteering as the church treasurer for many years. He was an avid engraver, having multiple machines to engrave various materials including wood, metal, glass, and plastic. Don loved spending time with his family and attending his children and grandchildren’s activities and sporting events. In the 1970s, he obtained his license to be a pilot. He was also active on the Hayfield School Board. When Don was asked what he wanted to be remembered by, he said, “I want to be remembered as being a loving, caring, family man that loved the Lord.”

Survivors include his wife, Colleen of Austin, Minnesota; children, Jason (Angie) Tebay of Waltham, Minnesota, Jeremy (Lisa) Tebay of Brownsdale, Minnesota, and Angie (Bob) Pooler of Dexter, Minnesota; grandchildren, Taylor (Connor) Goodwin, Madison (Jarrod) Grunklee, Tylor (Jarred) Ellis, Trace (Alexis Dudycha) Tebay, Jacelyn Tebay, Peyton (Jackson) Hockens, Rafe Pooler, Steele Tebay, and Hadley Pooler; great grandchildren, Blakely and Asher Goodwin, Zoey and Hudson Ellis, Maverick and Maryah Grunklee, and baby boy Hockens due in October; sisters, Gladys (Al) Davis and Ruthie Rathjen; twin brother, David (Marilyn) Tebay; and sister-in-law, Sharon Tebay. He was preceded in death by his parents, Everett and Ethel (Jero) Tebay; siblings, Ella Jane (Everett) Rudlong, Franklin “Sonny” Tebay; and brother-in-law, Lee Rathjen; parents-in-law, Robert and Arlene Miller; and brother-in-law, Garry Miller.