Obituary of Donald Leo Whalen

Donald (Don) Leo Whalen, 90, of Woodbury, MN passed away on December 29, 2023, at Our Lady of Peace Hospice. Funeral service will be held at The Church of the Assumption in Saint Paul on Friday, January 5, 2024, with visitation beginning at 9:00 AM and service at 10:00 AM with Father Paul Treacy officiating. Burial will immediately follow at Calvary Cemetery in Saint Paul with brunch to follow at Assumption Church’s lower level. Anderson Funeral Home will be assisting with the funeral arrangements. Don was born in Saint Paul to Mollie and Patrick Whalen on March 30, 1933. He went to Harding High School and graduated in 1951. He then joined the Army. After his service in the Army, he went on to technical school to become an electrician. He then worked as a proud member of the Local IBEW 110. On May 2nd, 1959, he married Elizabeth Klarich and they had two children, Michael and Patricia. In 2001, Liz was called home to be with the Lord. Don then found a companion in his dear friend Chloe Ann Kapaun, and remained by her side for 16 years until her passing in 2019. Don enjoyed traveling between his homes in Arizona and Minnesota, and found great joy in being outdoors in the sunshine. He loved to watch all sports, and loved cheering on his Minnesota teams. He especially enjoyed watching the Vikings and Twins games with Chloe Ann's daughter, Pam (who was also his caretaker in his later years) - and even more so when she brought him ice cream! Don is survived by his son Michael of Inver Grove Heights, MN, his daughter Patricia of Montrose, MN, his sister Phyllis Umhoefer of Mankato, MN, Pamela Kapaun and the Kapaun family, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and many beloved friends. He is preceded in death by his parents Mollie and Patrick, his sister Patricia Eckman, his wife Elizabeth, and his significant other Chloe Ann. The family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to the aides at Woodbury Estates who have cared for Don over the past few years, St. Croix Hospice and Our Lady of Peace Hospice who assisted in his final days, and The Church of the Assumption. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are preferred to Our Lady of Peace or Assumption Church.