Donald Lovaas

Donald E. Lovaas, 95, of Grand Marais, passed away peacefully after a brief illness on Thursday, April 7, 2022 with family by his side.

Don was born November 3, 1926 to Dan and Mabel (Strom) Lovaas in Bock, Minnesota. He graduated from Mora High School in 1944, then served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Following the war, he graduated from Dunwoody Institute and began a fifty-year career as an electrician and electrical contractor. In the Twin Cities he was owner of Edina Electric for many years, and he founded Lovaas Electric Service after moving to Grand Marais in 1990. He belonged to both the Minnesota and the National Electrical Contractors’ Associations.

He and his wife, Ruth, married in 1950 and were together for seventy-one years. They often opened their home to friends and family, sharing food, conversation, and laughter around their dining room table. For fifteen years they spent winters among friends in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Don was a long-time, active member of Grand Marais Evangelical Free Church. In later years, he liked to join the youth from church on hiking and fishing adventures. He enjoyed boating, fishing, traveling, listening to music, and attending concerts. Don loved to keep busy working, was dedicated to his family and was known for his sense of humor and storytelling.

Earlier this year, Don moved from his home on Pike Lake to a condo in Grand Marais. From there, he continued to faithfully visit his wife, Ruth, who for the last year has resided at the care center just a few blocks away.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Harold and Kenneth; sister, Virginia; son-in-law, Tim Nelson; and daughter-in-law, Carol Lovaas.

Don is survived by his wife of seventy-one years, Ruth; children, Jean Nelson, Jim (Wendy) Lovaas, Julie (Peter) Birgersson, Steve (Nancy) Lovaas, and Mark Lovaas; grandchildren, Lisa (Reese) Ricke, Lydia (Jeremiah) Nelson, Claire Lovaas, Jonathan (Shandelle) Lovaas and Michael Lovaas; nine great-grandchildren; and brother, Vernon Lovaas.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 23, 2022 at Grand Marais Evangelical Free Church, 120 Fifth Street, Grand Marais, MN, with visitation one hour prior. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to Grand Marais Evangelical Free Church.