Donald A. Penkert, age 95 of New Ulm died Wednesday, February 17, 2016 at the Good Samaritan Society in Winthrop.

Funeral service will be 11 am on Saturday, February 20, 2016 at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Ulm. Pastor Nate Scharf will officiate, and burial will follow in St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery in New Ulm where full military honors will be provided by the New Ulm Area Comrades of Valor Honor Guard.

Visitation will be from 4-7 on Friday and 7:30-8:30 am on Saturday at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home-NORTH CHAPEL in New Ulm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.
To leave an online condolence for his family, or to sign the guestbook, go to www.mvfh.org

Donald is survived by his daughter, Connie (Craig) Dirksen of Maynard; sons, Gary Penkert of New Ulm, Dennis (Sue) Penkert of New Ulm, Paul (Pam) Penkert of New Ulm; 10 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Verna Penkert; grandson, Steven Dirksen; sister, Esther Eye; and brother, Armin Penkert.

Donald Arthur Penkert was born July 20, 1920 in New Ulm to Arthur and Erna (Garbrecht) Penkert. He served in the U.S. Army from 1942-1946 stationed in New Caledonia and also Manilla in the Philippines. After his time in the service, Donald returned to the United States where he was united in marriage to Verna Radel on May 4, 1946 in Willow Lake Township in Redwood County. The couple was blessed with four children whom together they raised in New Ulm. Donald was employed by Supersweet Feeds in New Ulm; a career he held for 42 years. Donald had a variety of hobbies in life. He was always interested in sports, and enjoyed cheering for all of the Minnesota sports teams; especially the Twins. He also enjoyed fishing, bowling, and playing cards with family and friends. What he loved most in life was his family. Many terrific memories were made with his children and grandchildren celebrating "Papa-fests" that will forever stay in their hearts for years to come. He was an active member of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Ulm where he served as an usher for years, and also the New Ulm American Legion, Post 132. Anyone who knew Donald knew him for his giving heart. He lived his entire life putting others needs first, and will forever be remembered as a true care-giver.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Ulm, or the St. Paul's Lutheran School Improvement Fund.