Obituary for Donald Wayne Schaal

Donald Wayne Schaal was born on the farm in Martin County, Minn. near Gukeen, on June 13, 1928. He was born to the late Herman and Minnie (Trouth) Schaal. He attended a country school and rode his pony, Spot, every day through eighth grade. The family then moved to Fairmont, Minn. where he attended high school.
Don was a light heavyweight golden glove boxer with a record of 41 and 4. He married Geraldine Larson in June of 1950. Don and Geri moved to Arizona with their five children in July of 1961. He was a plumber for 36 years. Beginning in the 1960s, he would go up north to Pine on the weekends. Don purchased his first lot in 1966 and began building cabins and homes in the area until 2002. Don and Geri were divorced in 1976. He began a life partnership with Marilyn Black in 1976. Don and Marilyn have a home in Payson and Arizona City.
Don is preceded in death by his parents; his older sister, Eleanor; and a son, Barry. Surviving are Marilyn and her son Rand; Don’s children, Brad (Tracie), Randy (Faun), Shelley (Glenn) Pettet, Cindy (David) Anderson and Perry (Karrie); nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Don’s smile, sense of humor, jokes and winning card game will be deeply missed by all who loved and knew him. Don has left a mark that will forever remain in our hearts. We will miss his laugh most of all.
Friends are invited to Don’s memorial service at 1 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014 at Messinger Payson Funeral Home, 901 S. Westerly Rd. Later in the fall, another service will be held in Arizona City.
Contributions honoring Don may be made to Rim Country Hospice Foundation, P. O. Box 305, Payson, AZ 85547.