Donovan "Dode" E. Amundson

A memorial service for Donovan Dode E. Amundson, 89, of Rochester, MN will be at 11:00am on Thursday, September 27, 2012 at Homestead United Methodist Church with the Rev. Becky JoMessenbrink officiating.Interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery.Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00pm on Wednesday, September 26, 2012 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes and also 1 hour prior to the service at the church. Donovan Earl Amundson was born on April 14, 1923 in Onalaska, WI to Oscar and Adah (Schilling) Amundson.He died on September 23, 2012 at Seasons Hospice. Dode moved with his family to Rochester and graduated from Rochester High School in 1941 andhe served in the United States Army from 1941 to 1945.After his discharge, he worked at the Mayo Clinic brace shop.It was sold in the mid 1950's to Rochester Orthopedic Appliances. He worked for them until 1985.He later worked for Prosthetic Labs until his retirement in 2004.On June 19, 1948 he was joined in marriage to Joanne M. Engan at United Bretheren Church in Rochester. Dode enjoyed fishing, hunting, golfing, camping with his family, coaching youth hockey, wood working and was a member of the original Rochester Mustangs Hockey team. Donovan was deaf due to his service in the Army and he was the second cochlear implant patient at the Mayo Clinic.He often did presentations about his experience. Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Joanne of Rochester, MN; 3 sons, Alan (Mo), Steve (Judy) and Dave (Diane), all of Rochester, MN; 7 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren and 1 sister, Shirley (Fahy) Lowrie of Rochester, MN.He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers and 2 sister-in-laws. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to:Seasons Hospice, Samaritan Bethany Foundation or Donor's Choice.