Friday, March 29, 2024

Donald Kenneth Spilman, 79, Scottsdale, Ariz.

Donald Kenneth Spilman, 79, of Scottsdale, Ariz., passed away at Shadow Mountain Memory Care in Phoenix on February 2, 2022.

Don was born to Donald Walter and Doris Alice Spilman in St. Paul. The Spilman family relocated to Mantorville in 1949 and went on to own Don & Doris’ Barber and Beauty Shops. Entrepreneurial and hardworking at a young age, Don earned extra money by sweeping the steps at the Opry House, paper routes, bailing hay and providing lawn care services. A proud KoMet, Don graduated from Kasson-Mantorville High School where he was one of the top wrestlers in the state earning the moniker, “Mat Man.”

Don worked at the Hubbell House in various capacities throughout high school. After high school, Don wrestled and attended community college for a year, after which he attended barber school and started a lengthy career at United Parcel Service. He also worked alongside his father in the barber shop on weekends.

Don married the love of his life, Barbara, and they made their first home in Lake City. Don and Barb raised their two children, Stacy and John, in Inver Grove Heights.

After Don retired from UPS, the family relocated to Scottsdale, where Don worked for PCS.

Don loved being a grandpa and spent his days off and retirement years as head carpool driver and mentor for his five grandchildren. Don may have left Mantorville, however, Mantorville never left Don.

Everybody loved Don — there is no other way to say it. He was a good person who always had a humorous story to tell with a twinkle in his eye and loved hearing stories in return. Don never knew a stranger.

Don is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Davey and Daniel, sisters Jean and Betty Jane. Don is survived by his wife of 57 years, Barb, daughter Stacy (Robert), son John (Terri) and five grandchildren Anna, John, Sara, Sophie, and Grace. Don is also survived by sisters Delores, Doris and Donna Kaye (Mike), uncle Bill, brothers-in-law Don and Gary, along with 18 nieces and nephews and several cousins.

Thank you to everyone who loved Don over the years.

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Dodge County Independent

Dodge County Independent
Dodge County ADvantage
301 S. Mantorville Ave.
Plaza 57 • Suite 200
Kasson, MN 55944

Dodge County Printing
301 S. Mantorville Ave.
Plaza 57 • Suite 200
Kasson, MN 55944

507-634-7503
 
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