judeminiken Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 Dear Members. I must tell you how wonderful you all have been in our time of grieving Don M. You not only have helped Amanda and me, but also Don's other children, Josh, Joe and Sarah. I am attaching the obituary that I submitted today to our local paper, so you can see a little more of Don than before. I want you to know that the words I wrote that refer to this room and the people in it, I wrote before you all responded to my first post and Amanda's first post. It is so wonderful that the words that I wrote, you clearly illustrated their truth by your supportive posts. My daughter Sarah wrote the poem for her dad, Don M., after watching him fight the good fight, and struggle for breath..more and more. Pulsating life, the drum reflects, pushing howl of the flute, earth’s music is my blood. Slow steady nature flows, and my tender heart keeps harmonious time forever. I watch the painted shapes of flowing rhythm, I envision the dreams and sleep soothingly takes my leathered hand---leads me to the sweet scent of heaven’s showers, where dripping canopies revive my weary soul. Wind is my breath, dancing, lifting, weaving, protecting. I exhale and life goes ever on. -Sarah Miniken Donald E. Miniken Jr., 64, died of complications from lung cancer, Monday, Jan. 5, 2009. Don was born in Bremerton, Sept. 3, 1944, to Don and Kathleen Miniken. He was the oldest of 13 children. He was raised in Everett, where he attended Catholic and public schools, graduating from Everett High School in 1962. After graduation he attended seminary intending to enter the priesthood. His plans changed however (he could not stand the bells) and after a brief stint in the National Guard, he transferred to Washington State University where he studied forestry. In 1973, he married Judith Fox and they had four children. Don attended Green River College to pursue his degree in forestry. The family moved to Quinault in 1979, when Don went to work for the U.S. Forest Service. He worked there until retiring in 2005. He loved his job, the woods and the wonderful people with whom he worked. Don had many hobbies and talents. He took thousands of photos over the years of nature, of his children and of anything in which he caught a glimpse of beauty. He loved music of all kinds but specifically classical music and rock & roll. He loved the out-of-doors and spent a lot of time camping and hiking with his children. Don had a dry sense of humor that would catch a person off guard. He had a way of helping people to humor that would catch a person off guard. He had a way of helping people to broaden their perspective by his commentary on any given situation. He had a gentle compassionate nature that is rare. He was eclectic in his spiritual beliefs, embracing the Spirit of Holiness wherever he could find it and in places where most people forget to look. He would rather give money to the homeless in secret than sit at the table of the pompously rich. He was particularly drawn to Shamanistic expression of faith and he loved Native American drumming. He enjoyed watching movies, reading, gardening, traveling and visiting with people whom he loved. When Don was diagnosed with lung cancer, he made it a point to fight it by learning all that he could about it. In fact more than one of the doctors who treated them over the past five years commented that he could converse with him in medical terms about his condition as though he had medical training himself. He visited a couple of cancer support groups on-line and was greatly appreciated by other cancer survivors with whom he shared his story. He was highly regarded as one who could bring hope and encouragement to those fighting the disease. He helped more than one person pursue treatment options that ultimately saved their lives. Don is survived by his wife of 35 years, Jude; his children, Josh (Tracy), Amanda (fiancé, Ian), Joe (Mandie) and Sarah (boyfriend, Danny); his mother, Kathleen; brothers, Michael, Kevin, Dennis, Jim and Jack; sisters, Mary, Cecelia, Joan, Ellen, Suzanne and Annie; grandchildren, Devin, Chloe, Keaton and soon to be born, Sean; and many nieces and nephews. His father, Don Sr. and brother, Ed preceded him in death. A service to celebrate his life will be held at 3 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009, at the Montesano Presbyterian Church. The family suggests remembrances be sent to The Montesano Presbyterian Church, the Union Gospel Mission or to Home Health and Hospice. The family sends out a special thanks to Robin H. and Kim of Hospice; Greg The family sends out a special thanks to Robin H. and Kim of Hospice; Greg of Lincare; the staff at Grays Harbor Hospital pharmacy staff and the staff at Rite-Aide. To sign the online guestbook or to light a memorial candle visit: www.harrisonfamilymortuary. com. Again, thank you LUNGevity People. I will come here again. Jude M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyman35 Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 That is just beautiful Jude. Thank you for posting this. Again my sincere condolences to you and your family. Denise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fillise Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 Thank you for sharing this beautiful tribute to Don. You and your family will remain in my prayers. Susan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MsC1210 Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 Jude What a beautiful and touching obituary. A very special tribute to a very, very special man. Again, my sincere condolences to you and your family. Warmly Christine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasey Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 Thank you, Jude. It is so sad knowing that Don is not 'out there' reading our posts and replying. Without even reading the heartfelt and moving obituary, we all knew what a wonderful guy he was. We are heartbroken. Kasey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekgirlsc Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 I always looked forward to the posts by Don M. They were so full of knowledge of our situations. Now his situation is that he is resting eternally wrapped in the arms of God. With sympathy for your family........Creekgirl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 It's a wonderful tribute to a great man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilyjohn Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 I am so sorry for your loss. I haven't been on in a few days. I decided to come here and check on Don because of all of the flooding. My Johnny and I lived in Centralia and he had lived at Copalis Beach. I know the Aberdeen and Hoquium area well. Please accept my sincere condolences. I know you are all heartbroken. I hope you are all out of danger of the flooding as well. What a terrible time this must be for all of you. Just so much to deal with. You will all certainly be in my prayers. Lillian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginnyde Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 I have been on this site for a long time. I continue here because of the 'friendships' that I have found. Most certainly Don was a 'friend' that I cared greatly about. How amazing that just the typed word can show us so much about a man's character. Thank you for sharing him with us. He was much loved here and will be missed tremendously. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolhg Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 A beautiful tribute. Carol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dscherer Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful tribute. My prayers are with you. Dana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shineladysue Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Jude, Thank you so very much for sharing this wonderful tribute to a man we all knew was very special and now we have even more reasons to confirm what we already knew. Again, I want you to know that my heartfelt condolences go out to you and your family. God Bless, Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amanda Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 "lilyjohn"]I am so sorry for your loss. I haven't been on in a few days. I decided to come here and check on Don because of all of the flooding. My Johnny and I lived in Centralia and he had lived at Copalis Beach. I know the Aberdeen and Hoquium area well. Please accept my sincere condolences. I know you are all heartbroken. I hope you are all out of danger of the flooding as well. What a terrible time this must be for all of you. Just so much to deal with. You will all certainly be in my prayers. Lillian Both houses in our immediate family are okay, other than a bit of flooding in the garage. My front yard looked like a lake for a while, and the floods prevented family from coming to our hometown when they wanted to, but it looks like the floods will clear up for Dad's memorial service -- so everyone can come. Thank you for your kind words and thoughts and prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MsC1210 Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Amanda I was thinking of you all this morning as the weather channel was talking about the flooding there. I am so glad that things are improving. I continue to think of you and your family and hold you all in my prayers. Warmly Christine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maryanne Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 That was beautiful Amanda, thank your for sharing that. You all have a rough road ahead please take the love and support of love ones to help you get through this. The Obit on him Jude is just what I imagined. He was a gem concealed. The candle I lit for him is still shinning brightly but seems to be getting to the end. Peace be with you. My heart to yours. Maryanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nova Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 My thoughts are with your family. Don reached out the hand of friendship to my husband, Harry, when we first found out he had cancer. God Bless you all. Nova Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jyoung20 Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 What a beautiful tribute. He will be greatly missed.\ God has reserved a very special place in heaven for im!! God Bless You! J-me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet B Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 What a beautiful poem and tribute. My prayers are being said for God's comfort and peace. Janet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaminkw Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 Jude, Amanda and all of Don's loving family, One thinks of forestry as a fairly solitary endeavor, but it's apparent Don touched so many people in so many areas of his life. Sarah's poem is beautiful and I was particularly taken with these words in the obituary: "After graduation he attended seminary intending to enter the priesthood. His plans changed however (he could not stand the bells)...." Jude, I don't know if that's your sense of humor or Don's shining through, but it was a funny, touching addition to his story. Judy in Key West Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welthy Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 To Jude and family, Thank you for posting this tribute --- it was beautiful. Don was supportive of so many over the years. May God hold you his arms now as he is surely holding Don. With sympathy, Welthy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shellit74 Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 Jude, Thanks for sharing the obit. It was beautifully written. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaroleHammett Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 Jude. Thank you so much for sharing both Sarah's poem and Don's obituary. He was such a wonderful man and loved his family so much. I wish you had had him longer, but am thankful for your sakes--and all of ours--that we alll had him as long as we did. With love and affection, Carole PS Your mortuary link was 'corrupted' so I am providing it again so that others here can find his memory and guest books: http://www.harrisonfamilymortuary.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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