Donald A. Druke

Donald Arthur Druke, 59, of Minneapolis, MN died July 9, 2014 at Walker Methodist Health Center in Minneapolis of complications from pneumonia. Don had been a resident of Walker for the past year. He was born on June 6, 1955 in New Prague, MN to Marcella (Busch) and Germain Herman (Bud) Druke of Belle Plaine, MN. Don was the fourth and last of their children. After graduating from Belle Plaine High School he attended St. John University in Collegeville, MN, graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Biology. His technical writing career with an engineering firm in the Twin Cities was cut short by the onset of growing mental health issues. Don's marriage to his college sweetheart Joanne Altoff ended in divorce. Don lived in various group homes over the years, moving to Walker Methodist in June of 2013 after his physical health deteriorated. He remained close to his siblings who were devoted to him including his sister Shirley Druke Fogarty (Mike) of Belle Plaine, brother Bob Druke (Mary) of Richfield, and sister Judi Druke Teske (Richard) of Arlington, VA. Despite Don's many challenges, he never lost his desire to create community wherever he was living, to reach out to others who were in need, to commit his thoughts to paper, and to share his sense of humor. He enjoyed listening to music and to radio broadcasts of his beloved Twins' games. Besides his older sisters and brother, Don is survived by five nieces and nephews and numerous great nieces and great nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Bud Druke in 1963 and his mother Marcella Druke in 1996. His family is comforted by the sure knowledge that he is at last at peace with the Lord and with his parents, with no more pain and suffering. Services for Don will be held at a later date. Memorial gifts may be directed to either Our Lady of the Prairie Catholic Church in Belle Plaine, MN, where Don served as an altar server and attended elementary school, OR to NAMI (The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill), PO Box 62596, Baltimore, MD 21264.