Donald Herman Quandt was born January 10, 1924 on the family farm in Fairfield Township, Swift County, Minnesota, the son of Herman and Eleanor (Hoffman) Quandt. He was baptized on January 27, 1924 and confirmed into the Christian faith on April 10, 1938 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Moyer Township. He attended school at District #48 through the eighth grade, and graduated from Holloway High School with the Class of 1941. On March 8, 1946, Donald was united in marriage to Verna Marie Munsterman at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Shible Township. They were blessed with six children and 64 years of marriage. They farmed near Danvers for several years, then returned to farm the Quandt family homestead in Fairfield Township until they retired in 1989. They continued to live on the farm until 2005, when they moved into Benson. Donald was a member of the Farmers Union, the Holloway Sportsman's Club, the ASC Township Committee, and the American Legion. He served on the District #48 School Board; as Clerk for 18 years on the Fairfield Township Board, the St. John's Church Council, and Director at the Appleton-Benson Co-op. Donald loved his family and enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He enjoyed farming the land and raising livestock. He also enjoyed fishing and playing cards with family and friends. Donald supported many local teams and enjoyed attending all sporting events. He looked forward to the annual family camping trip at the family farm. This tradition began after he and Verna moved from the farm. In the spring and fall, Donald could be found driving the countryside, checking progress on planting and harvest. Donald was called from this life on Friday, February 11, 2011 at the Swift County Benson Hospital. He attained the age of 87 years, 1 month and 1 day. Donald is survived by his wife Verna of Benson; his children: Dwight (Donna) Quandt of Villard, Maureen (Bob) Erdman of Benson, Marilyn (Scott) Kent of Clontarf, Deb (Terry) Quigley of Burnsville, Don Jr. (Dianne) Quandt of Morris, and Paul (Deb) Quandt of Faribult; grandchildren: Vicki Erdman (Bob Schaefers), Bob Jr. (Sara) Erdman, Kim (Shari) Erdman, Dene' Quandt (Jeremy Justen), Dwight Quandt, Jr. (special friend, Keely Cambridge) Jenny Kent (Troy Arndt), Jesse (Lisa) Kent, Josh Traub, Matt Traub (special friend Claire Fayle), Drew Quandt, Zach Quandt, Pat Quandt, Jack Quigley and Kait Quigley; great grandchildren: William, Kerrie, Thomas, Tyler, Eric, Olivia, Isaac, Brendan, Mikaela, Nicholas, Haley, Adam, Allison, Tyler, and Dylan; a sister: Eleanor Petrick of Makoti, ND and other relatives and friends. Preceding him in death were his parents, Herman and Eleanor; great granddaughter, Faith Erdman; a sister, Manetta Beyer; brother, Herman Quandt, Jr. ; sister-in-law: Eleanor Quandt; brothers-in-law: Leander Beyer and Elden Petrick.
