Donald W. Uhde

Donald W. Uhde, age 79, of Miltona, died on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at St. William’s Living Center in Parkers Prairie under the care of Hospice of Douglas County.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Alexandria with Rev. John Martinson officiating. Full military honors will be accorded by the Minnesota Honor Guard and the Veteran’s Memorial Honor Guard.

Visitation is 4-6 p.m., Friday, January 23rd, at Lind Family Funeral Home in Parkers Prairie and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

Donald Walter was born on October 5, 1946, to Walter and Hildegard (Luedeke) Uhde in Parkers Prairie. He attended country school through the sixth grade and then continued on to Parkers Prairie High School, graduating in 1964. While in high school, he participated in band, choir, and wrestling. Following graduation, Don enlisted in the United States Navy. He completed boot camp at Great Lakes and trained as an electronic technician. He served aboard the USS Johnny Bole, a destroyer, during the Vietnam War, where he earned the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. After his time in Vietnam, he was assigned to dry dock duty in Japan. Don was honorably discharged and returned home to work for his uncle at R&R Ready Mix in Miltona. Don was united in marriage to Judith “Judy” Lynn Cooper on April 4, 1970, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alexandria. Together, Don and Judy were blessed with two children, a daughter born in 1974 and a son in 1976. He later worked for Bellanca Aircraft before beginning his career at 3M in 1983. Don worked for 3M for 31 years, until his retirement. Don was an active member of Bethesda Lutheran Church for the past 54 years where he enjoyed singing in the choir. He was also a member of the American Legion in Alexandria. Don enjoyed gardening, making wine with Judy, and playing Yahtzee and pool. Most of all, he loved his family and was a proud grandfather of three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law, Kenneth and Betty Cooper; brother-in-law, Dave Schackel; and sister-in-law, Sandy Cooper.

Don is survived by his wife of 55 years, Judy; daughter, Kristine “Kris” (Kevin Challes) Baardsen of Brandon; son, Aaron Uhde of Miltona; sisters, Linda Schackel and Karen (Nick) Adensam; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law, Dan (Lynn) Cooper and Terry Cooper; along with many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins.

Urnbearers are his nephews, Jason Cooper, Kelly Cooper, Chad Cooper, Andrew Schackel, and Joe Adensam. Honorary urnbearers are his grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Parkinson’s Foundation or Hospice of Douglas County.