Donald Gamber

was born June 29, 1923 to Edward and Marguerite (Thorndyke) Gamber on a farm in Burke Township near Woodstock, Minnesota. He was the fifth of six children. His mother died in 1931 at a young age and then he lived with his maternal grandparents in Edgerton, Minnesota until his grandpa Thorndyke died in 1934. Don then lived on a farm with three bachelor uncles until 1939 when his father married again and then lived with them on a farm near Woodstock, Minnesota. He graduated from Pipestone High School in 1942. He enlisted in the United States Army February 2, 1943. He served stateside for one year and then was stationed in France and the Philippines and served as a mechanic. He was honorably discharged in 1946 and then returned to Pipestone and began farming. In 1948, he began working for the Pipestone County Highway Department as a mechanic and eventually became shop foreman. Don and Ruth (McDaniel) were united in marriage on June 20, 1953 at First Baptist Church in Pipestone. Their union was blessed with two children, Spencer and Mary, and 58 years of marriage together. The couple lived in Pipestone and Don retired from the highway department in 1985. Through the years they had opened their home as foster parents for over twelve years as an emergency placement site. Don entered Good Samaritan Community of Pipestone on August 16, 2011. He died there on October 15, 2011 at the age of 88 years, 3 months, and 16 days.

Don was a member of Faith Community Church in Pipestone. He was active in the life of the congregation serving as a deacon, on the board of directors, Sunday school superintendent for over 20 years, choir member, Boys Brigade program teacher, and various custodial care, maintenance and upkeep of the church. Don was a member of Pipestone American Legion Post #6 and served on the military honor squad for many years and flag service for the Pipestone Avenue of Flags. He was a charter member of the Pipestone Golden K Kiwanis Club founded in 1989, later known as Golden Club. He served as president of the Golden K 1992-1993 and received the merit award for that year. During his term he started the Terrific Kids program which is still going today. He has assisted other Golden K Clubs in starting a Terrific Kids program in Slayton and Westbrook. He was elected lieutenant governor of Golden K and served two years and had organized a new Golden K club at Marshall, Minnesota. Through the Golden K he was very active with the Christmas toy drive, food program for the needy and Adopt-A-Highway program. He volunteered in Pipestone, selling daffodils for the cancer fund, hauling food to the food shelf, parking cars at Civil War Days, housing TRAM riders in his home, Big Brother to two boys, and transportation driver for Pipestone County Transit for many years. He enjoyed bowling, fishing, Minnesota Twins and Vikings, and hunting. Faith and his family were especially important to him.

Don is lovingly remembered by his wife, Ruth; children, Spencer (Elizabeth) Gamber of Shoreview, Minnesota, Mary ( Thomas) Sherman of St. Paul, Minnesota; 6 grandchildren, Brandon, Ethan, and Lauren Gamber, Alex, David, and Maria Sherman; brother-in-law, Orval Anderson; sister-in-law, Mary Francis Gamber; and many nieces, nephews, other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; and sisters, Marjorie Anderson, Mildred Clark; brothers Gerald Gamber, Daryl Gamber, and Vernon Gamber.