Cover photo for Donald Stella's Obituary
Donald Stella Profile Photo
1937 Donald 2017

Donald Stella

August 21, 1937 — May 5, 2017

Donald F. Stella, age 79, of Faribault, MN, passed away Friday, May 5, 2017, at his home surrounded by his family after four battles with cancer.

Memorial Mass of Christian burial will be held on Tuesday, May 9, 2017, at 10:30 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 139 Mercy Drive, Faribault. Inurnment will be at St. Mary's Cemetery in Winona, MN at a later date.

Memorial visitation will be held on Tuesday for one hour prior to the services at the church.

Arrangements are with the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory of Faribault, MN.

Donald Francis was born on August 21, 1937 in Cicero, IL to Frank and Wanda (Cichorz) Swider. He was adopted by his step-father Mario Stella in his teens. He graduated from St. Mel's High School in Chicago, then St. Mary's University in Winona, MN. While in college he met Margaret "Peggy" Vaughan and they were united in marriage on September 5, 1959 at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart Church in Winona.

Don's career started in Argo, IL with Corn Processing Corp. (CPC) as food chemist leading to his role as food marketing manager in New Jersey. He then worked for Grain Processing Corp. (GPC) as vice president, living in Muscatine, Iowa for 10 years. During that time he obtained his MBA at the University of Iowa while working. In 1981, he took on the role of vice president for Seabrook Peanut Blanching in Georgia before moving to Marshall, MN to Minnesota Corn Processing (MCP) as President and Chief Operating Officer. Don's lengthy career concluded as part-owner of McLaughlin and Schultz for eight years.

Don played and excelled in baseball, softball, basketball and golf. Before his working career, he started by playing semi-pro baseball. His love of golf led to him achieving four holes in one.

He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Peg Stella of Faribault; daughters, Linda Marie Stella (Bill Evans) of Toronto, Canada, Shari (Troy) Bellows of Lakeville, MN, and Caroline (Roger) Beckering of Peoria, AZ; grandchildren, Ethan Bellows, and Elizabeth and Alexandra Beckering; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Frank Swider, step-father, Mario Stella and mother, Wanda Stella.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to Allina Health Homecare and Hospice.

Cemetery Details

St. Mary's Cemetery

Winona, MN,

Memorial Visitation

MAY 9. 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Divine Mercy Catholic Church

139 Mercy Drive

Faribault, MN, US, 55021

http://www.divinemercy.cc

Memorial Mass

MAY 9. 10:30 AM

Divine Mercy Catholic Church

139 Mercy Drive

Faribault, MN, US, 55021

http://www.divinemercy.cc

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