DONALD FRENETTE

It is with great sadness the family of
Donald Frenette
announces his passing.
Donald was predeceased by his parents, Anne and Oni Frenette of Fort Frances, his wife Rose (Schmidtbauer), Sister Anita (Jackson), brothers David and Dennis and infant sister Margaret Anne.
Donald is survived by his daughter Rosalie (Gillon) and her husband Jim Baschky, grandchildren Teala Hoyer, Jana Crowe and Roy Gillon, and great grandchildren Maddison, Jayden, Silas and Jaxxon. He is also survived by siblings Jerry, Bob, Jim, Rick, Susan, Bonnie, Tom and Cathy as well as numerous in-laws, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Also, Gordon Gillon, a former son-in-law who played a big role in Donald’s life.
Donald grew up in Fort Frances and began living part of the time in International Falls.
He eventually obtained full-time employment at the Insulite Mill. He met and married Rose Schmidtbauer in 1964. He became a U.S. Citizen around 2005.
Th ey had one child, Rosalie. Donald’s wife Rose, passed away in 2002.
Donald retired from the mill in 1990 and continued living in International Falls until he moved to Rochester MN in 2011. He lived with daughter Rosalie and son-in-law Jim. He later moved back to International Falls where he remained until 2013 when he became ill. He was transferred to the Duluth Hospital and later to Rochester where he spent sometime in the hospital and long term care as well as with his family. He eventually moved into a Seniors Home in 2014.
He was admitted to the Hospital in March of 2017.
Donald passed away in Rochester on April 22, 2017 at the age of 82.
During his younger years Donald travelled around NW Ontario working in Fort Frances, Sapawe, and Kenora. He travelled extensively with daughter Rosalie on camping trips in a converted school bus.
Cremation has taken place. Th ere will be a memorial service for Donald in International Falls at a later time. Interment will take place in Fort Frances at the Holy Cross Cemetery after the memorial service. In lieu of fl owers, donations may be made to the Cancer Society or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.