Donald Morris Haavisto

Donald Morris Haavisto, 78, of Kasson, MN passed away on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Oaklawn Care and Rehabilitation Center in Mankato, MN.

Don was born on April 11, 1948, in Buffalo Township, MN to John and Alma (Kuitunen) Havisto. He graduated from Cokato high school in 1966. Following high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. Don served honorably from 1966-1969, as a radio repairman and served a tour of duty in Vietnam.

After the service he married Brenda Myllyla, together they had three children, Wanda, Cathy, and Mark.

Don was very talented in construction, he built his first home in Annandale, MN, where he also enjoyed hobby farming and he was an avid fisherman. He also worked for the Buffalo school district and then went on to work for Malco Products in Annandale, MN. He continued using his skills as a self-performing general contractor of Don and Linda’s log home on Clearwater Lake in Annandale, MN.

Don married Linda (Anderson-Antil) Haavisto on February 20, 2000, in Minneapolis, MN. In 2003, Don and Linda moved to Missouri to be closer to their grandchildren, where he worked for Lear Corporation in Kansas City, a contractor for Ford Motor Company, building seats for the F150 pickups until his retirement in 2010. Upon retirement the couple moved back to Kasson, MN.

Don was a big fan of the Minnesota Twins and the Dodge County Wildcats Girls Hockey team. His two granddaughters played hockey through high school and onto college at St. Mary’s Winona, Don and Linda never missed a game, including all out of town games.

Don loved his family dearly, especially his grandchildren. He will be deeply missed.

Donald is survived by his wife, Linda Haavisto of Kasson, MN; daughter, Wanda LaRue of Clarion, IA; son, Mark (Therese) Haavisto of Glasgow, KY; step-sons, James (Mayuri) Kraus of Fayetteville, NC and Jeffrey (Stephanie) Kraus of Winona, MN; grandchildren, Elaine Crandall of Clarion, IA, Kevin Kraus of Fayetteville, NC, Matthew (Megan Ritting) Kraus of Rochester, MN, Rose (Denver Bruessel) Kraus of Kasson, MN, Kennedy (Alex Cannon) Kraus of Canton, MI, and Chirayu “C.K.” (Aiko) Khongtrakun of Hawaii; brother, William Haavisto of Cokato, MN and Harold (Mia) Haavisto of Maple Plain, MN; sisters, Helen Jensen of Glenco, MN, Betty Carmack of Dexter, MO, Lorraine Haavisto of Annandale, MN; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Cathy Haavisto; his former wife, Brenda Haavisto; brothers Ralph, Johnny and Gerald “Pete” Haavisto; sisters, Mary Ann Johnson and Ruth Haavisto; brothers-in-law’s, Jim Johnson, Mike Barkley, and Richard Carmack; and sister-in-law, Lois Berg.

A graveside service will be held at a later date in Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston, MN.

Donald’s family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to the staff at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, the Urology Department at Mayo Clinic St. Mary’s Campus, the Palliative Care Department at Mayo Clinic Methodist Campus, St. Croix Hospice, and Oaklawn Care and Rehabilitation Center.

To share a special memory or condolence please visit www.czaplewskifuneralhomes.com, Czaplewski Family Funeral Homes, 801 7th St SE Kasson, MN 55940 (507) 634-6510. Blessed be his memory.