Donald "Don" Schaal

Don was born in Bethune, Colorado on February 19, 1929 to Eva (Knodel) and William Schaal. He and his older brother, Marvin, grew up on a 550-acre farm in Bethune. The family farmed crops and raised cattle. Don attended high school and then rounded out his education at the School of Hard Knocks. The family relocated to Loveland in 1945. He enlisted in the Army National Guard in 1951. During his term of service, Don was stationed at Fort Benning in Georgia and Fort Lee in Virginia. He completed Radio Communication School and Supply Administration School. Don was honorably discharged in 1957.

In addition to owning and operating the family farm, Don worked for several Colorado companies over the years including the Great Western Sugar Company in Loveland, the Gates Rubber Company in Denver, Colorado, the Colorado Implement Company, the W.H. Moore Equipment Company, and the Pete Honnen Equipment Company. Don was not known for having idle hands. In 1971, Don completed his GED. He was always ready for the next task and looked forward to learning new things.

Don fell in love for the first time and married Dorothy Goeke on March 13, 1961. They shared 20 wonderful years together before Dorothy passed away in 1981. He again found love and married Virginia (Henry) Robinson on May 12, 1986. Don and Virginia loved the life they had together, spending their time traveling and enjoying each other’s company. They shared a deep faith in God and life eternal. Don was heartbroken when Virginia passed away in 2015. Following Virginia’s passing, Don began to journal. He wrote that Virginia was “the light of his life” and that she planned everything including their many trips. He lamented that they had covered every state except for Alaska. Don missed Virginia with every waking moment.

Don was always a happy man. He had a jovial sense of humor. He was full of love and cared deeply for his many friends. He was an avid reader and had amassed a collection of 660 books. He enjoyed daily workouts and, later in life, loved to get manicures and pedicures. He cherished the time with his buddies having coffee at Perkins or McDonalds. Don was a proud member of the Teamsters Union, and developed a loyal, long-standing friendship with his closest Teamster brothers. He wrote letters to presidents, both republican and democrat, and anxiously awaited their replies. Don also loved history, especially his family’s history.

Don’s relationship with Christ grew stronger in his later days. He frequently read his bible and was looking forward to his everlasting life. He was looking forward to being reunited with the loves of his life. Don was a genuine man with a heart of gold. He never knew a stranger. He will be dearly missed.

Don was family to Kelly & Anne Kramer, who knew Don and Virginia for more than 20 years and who helped care for Don for the past seven years. In addition to Kelly and Anne, Don is survived by his stepdaughter Diana Chambers and her husband Don, and by dear friends Zorida Johnson, Diane Bellamy, and Brenda Whisenand, who visited Don weekly and sometimes daily; as well as several other close friends, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Don joins in heaven his parents Eva and William Schaal, his brother Marvin, who passed away in 1999, his first wife Dorothy, his second wife, Virginia, and his stepdaughter, Linda Reidel, who passed away in 2023.

A Memorial Service will be held for Don on Monday, October 16, 2023 at 11:00 am at Resthaven Funeral Home in Fort Collins, Colorado. A Lunch Gathering will follow. Memories of Don are welcome at www.resthavencolorado.com.