Donald Harold FIRL

Donald Harold Firl was born June 28, 1926 at Red Wing, MN, the oldest child and oldest son of Max R. and Henrietta Diercks Firl. He passed away on Saturday, October 26, 2013 at his home in Rochester, MN. He was 87 years of age.

He was graduated from the former Central High School at Red Wing in 1947. He added to his education with a B.A. Degree from Gustavus Adolphus, an M.S. Degree from Kansas State University, an Educational Specialist Degree from the University of Northern Iowa, and additional graduate work at other universities.

His profession was that of educator, with an interest in Mathematics, English, and Journalism. His first teaching was at Kansas State (a fellowship). He taught both Mathematics and English at St. Peter, MN, for high school students from 1952-1957. He was a secondary teacher at Rochester variously from 1957-1988, primarily in Mathematics. He was also the curriculum consultant for Independent School District #535, from 1963-1983. After retiring from the public schools, he was on the adjunct staff of RCTC as both Mathematics and English instructor for a number of years.

Donald held membership in and was active in a number of educational associations (National, State and Local) and in the National Council of Teacher of Mathematics. He is author and/or joint author of a number of professional articles and was an author of school materials for the above NCTM, Random House, Inc. and A.J. Nystrom. He also served as editor of a national publication for mathematic students.

Donald served in the U.S. Army (Third Army) during WWII from 1944-1946, first as a scout in a reconnaissance company of the company of the 10th Armored Division and then as security at the Dachau, Germany war crimes trials.

He is an ordained elder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Among his several interests and hobbies were gardening, needle crafting, genealogical research and family history.

On 20 December 1953, he married Veryl Emma Bowen, daughter of Russell and Carrie Montfoort Bowen, at Manhattan, KS. The couple has six children: Cara (James) Leeper of Orem, UT; Heidi (Steven) Hilton of Clifton, VA; Jared (Krista) Firl of Rochester; Christopher (Kathryn) Firl of Rochester; Thomas (Staci) Firl of La Center, WA; and Jennifer Kirtz of Lakeville, MN. All survive him.

He is also survived by 31 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren. He is further survived by brothers and sisters: Alvin Firl of Red Wing; Leslie Firl of Red Wing; Kenneth (Marcy) of Holmen, WI; Marlene Moosmann of Stewartville; Rodney (Carolyn)of Sammamich, WA; Dale of Eagan; Mary L. (Ronald) Olson of Stewartville; Marlys (David) Kahl of New York Mills; John Firl of Branson, MO; Dean (Jean) Firl of Andover. Donald was preceded in death by a brother, Duane, and an infant sister Marie Grace.

Services will be held Saturday, Nov. 2, at the Rochester Minnesota Stake Building of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, off East Circle Drive at 11 a.m., with viewing one hour before.

Viewing will also be held at the Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday evening, Nov. 1.

Flowers and plants are most appreciated as memorials. The family will make a donation to a charity on Donald's behalf.

Donald will be interred at Oakwood Cemetery (Main). --Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home

Donald was a meticulous genealogist and family historian. He single-handedly researched, compiled and published in 1961 complete genealogy references on the following Families of Goodhue County, Minnesota: Reese, Wilkens, Matthees, Banitt, Firl and Johann Hinrich Diercks. --Wayne Diercks

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