Donald Naber

Donald Henry Naber, 63, of Red Wing, MN, died Thursday, April 16, 2020, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN. Don was born on July 21, 1956, in San Ardo, CA, to Harry and Dorothy (Wittmann) Naber. He graduated from King City (CA) High School and attended Modesto (CA) Jr. College. Don's adventurous lifestyle lead him to various areas of the country including Colorado, Montana and Alaska, before settling in Red Wing with his wife Karen (Huneke). Don was a talented tradesman, a skilled craftsman and a keen businessman. His career experiences included working at a crop growing operation in Salinas Valley, CA, and working as a heavy equipment mechanic. He was also a forest firefighter helicopter crewmember in CA, a partner of a snowmobile rental business in West Yellowstone, MT, and a business partner of a logging and sawmill operation in Petersburg, AK. Don was most recently a contractor with Hydratight Operations in Red Wing. He was a "jack of all trades" and there was nothing mechanical or a hands-on skill, such as carpentry, that Don couldn't do or figure out. All the places Don lived and worked during his life were driven by his love of the outdoors. He enjoyed snowmobiling in the winter, camping whenever he could and he was an avid fisherman. Don was always ready to head out to the open water of a nearby river or lake, or onto the ice for an opportunity to fish or to simply be with nature. That was his happy place. Don's family and friends will remember him as gentle, helpful, having a great sense of humor and enjoying his quiet time.
Don is survived by his wife, Karen, of Red Wing; brother, Bob (Diana) Scharf of Hurricane, UT; brother Ron Naber of Columbus, MT; mother-in-law, Joan Huneke of Red Wing; sister-in-law, Judy (Ernest) Lillie of Prescott, WI; brother-in-law, Robert (Teresa) Huneke of Red Wing; sister-in-law, Gail (Bob) Kokett of Albany, MN; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Don is preceded in death by his parents and his father-in-law, Richard Huneke.
A private family service will be held. Funeral arrangements are by the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com