- Date Of Birth: January 7, 1944
- Date Of Death: November 2, 2022
- State: Minnesota
Donald Allan McKay passed away on November 2, 2022 after a brief illness at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, MN.
Donnie, as he was more commonly known, was born January 7, 1944 to James and Alice (Nelson) McKay in Baudette, MN. He attended Baudette Elementary and High School. He left high school to join the United States Navy in 1962. During his service he was stationed in San Diego and The Philippines. He was honorably discharged and transferred to U.S. Naval Reserves in1965 until 1968. He obtained his High School Equivalent Certificate in 1965.
Donnie and Sharon McClain were married on October 16, 1965 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Williams, MN. During their marriage they had two children, a daughter Tracy and a son Scott.
Donnie married Mary Ellen Hovde on July 25, 1987 at Sacred Heart Church in Baudette. Donnie and Mary had one son, Nicholas. They made their home in Baudette.
Donnie was baptized, confirmed and received into full communion with the Catholic faith in September of 1989.
HIs entire life was devoted to service to his family and community. Donnie was an active member of the American Legion Club Post 217 where he served as Commander in 1981 and 1986. He also was a member of the Baudette Ceremonial Squad. He was a longtime member of the Baudette Fire Department. Donnie was most well known in the community for his 43 years of service on the Lake of the Woods Ambulance Squad. Many have stated that Donnie either has taken them or someone they love to the hospital or on an out-of-town transfer at least once. He was honored for his service to the Ambulance Squad in April of 2022 with an open house retirement party.
In his free time, Donnie enjoyed fishing, hunting, cooking, reading, watching sports and home repair and renovation projects.
Donnie was preceded in death by his parents; a brother Gary McKay and sisters and brothers-in-law Joyce and Bob Borgen and Dian and Paul Irwin, brother-in-law Jack Laffin; a granddaughter Kayla Inderlee; a nephew Patrick McKay; and his in-laws Norman and Dorothy Hovde.
Donnie is survived by his wife Mary Ellen, daughter Tracy (Tom Makarchuk) Inderlee of Circle Pines, MN, sons Scott (Suzie) McKay of North Branch, MN and Nicholas McKay of Baudette, MN; a sister Kathleen Laffin of Baudette; grandchildren Danielle, Kalley and Mackenzie Inderlee and Ryan McKay. Donnie was also an important grandfather figure to Sunshine and Patience Larson. Also surviving Donnie are sisters-in-law Patty (Tony) Beckel, Susan (Marlin) Mattson and Ann (Howard) Goethe; brothers-in-law Jeff (Jennifer) Hovde and Michael (Dale Bray) Hovde; and several nieces and nephews.
