Donald Nygaard

Donald W. Nygaard, 86, a lifelong resident of Duluth, passed away on Dec. 20, 2017.

Don was born April 11, 1931 to J. Sigurd and Berniece (Prescott) Nygaard and grew up near Chester Bowl. As a senior at Duluth Central High School in 1949, he was the Minnesota State High School cross country skiing champion. In 1954, Don graduated from UMD, where he was a member of the Bulldog cross country ski/ski jumping team, and later trained with the U.S. Nordic Ski Team for the 1956 Winter Olympics.

He married Romayne Berweger in St. Mary's Church, Meadowlands, Minn on October 20, 1956, and they raised their seven children in the Duluth’s Woodland neighborhood. Don and Romayne were together for over 52 years until her passing in 2009.

Don began his banking career in the Trust Department of Northern City National Bank in 1956 and retired as Vice President/Trust Officer from First Bank (now U.S. Bank) in 1990. He enjoyed participating in outdoor activities and sports (fastpitch softball) over the years -- especially deer hunting at the shack with the same bunch of “Stew's boys” for over 60 years. In addition, Don was a long-time volunteer at Eastern Little League (as both a league president and coach) and also spent several seasons coaching in the Woodland Hockey Association.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Sig and Bern, wife Romayne, an infant sister, sister Margie Stauber and her husband Tony, and uncle (more like a big brother) Bob Prescott.

He is survived by daughters Dr. Jane Nygaard of Spicer, Minn., Jill (Vance) Treska of Rogers, Minn., and Sarah of Duluth; sons John (Mary) of Minneapolis, Bob (Kim) of Duluth, Bill (Laurie) of Savage, Minn., and Dave (Lara) of  Duluth; 11 grandchildren: Alex (David) and Amanda Brinton, Collin and Laura Treska, Katrina and Madeline Nygaard, Morgan, Megan and Nolan Nygaard and Dylan and Adia Nygaard; his brother Jim (Pat) Nygaard of Hugo, Minn.;  his sister Claudia Cohen, Duluth, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Don was a true gentleman and a gentle man who will be dearly missed.

Memorial Service will be 1PM, Sunday, January 21, 2018, with visitation one-hour prior, in the Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E 2nd Street, Duluth, MN 55805.

Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 218-727-3555