Donald Leonard Kerlin

Donald Leonard Kerlin, 79, of Mayville, ND, died Thursday, July 7, 2011 at Luther Memorial Home in Mayville. Donald was born June 28, 1932 in Fargo, ND to Leonard and Lillian (Corneliussen) Kerlin. He attended schools in Moorhead, MN, Grand Island, NB and Dilworth, MN where he graduated high school. Donald attended Concordia College with a scholarship in athletics where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. During Donald’s college years he was an avid football player known as the “Dilworth Express.” He was named All Conference Back and top scorer for 3 years and in 1953 he was named Most Valuable Football Player honorable-mention. He was drafted by the Baltimore Colts and tried out for professional football in 1954. Donald married Rosina Dibrito on August 10, 1953. They have been married for 57 years. Donald loved working with kids and retired in 1990 after a 36 year career in teaching and coaching at Bertha-Hewitt and Barnesville, MN and Mayville-Portland, ND. Donald had many career accomplishments over the years including 3 North Dakota State Boy’s Track and Field Championships and the North Dakota and Concordia Hall of Fame. Besides teaching and coaching, Donald and Rosina along with their family operated a vegetable garden and market at Ada, MN for 34 years. Donald loved his family, friends and mentoring young people. Donald is survived by his wife, Rosina of Mayville; 8 children, Sandra (Ken) Wasness of Waconia, MN, Donald J. (Judy) of Rochester, MN, Kathy (George) Horbacz of Hinckley, MN, Carolyn (Thomas) Creager of Chandler, AZ, John (Patty) of Apple Valley, MN, Mary (Matthew) Rutherford of San Diego, CA, David (Patti) of Devils Lake, ND and Joseph (Michele) of New Richmond, WI; 23 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Margaret Messerschmidt. Visitation: 5-7 PM Tuesday, July 12, 2011 with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at Mayville Lutheran Church in Mayville. Funeral Service: 10:30 AM Wednesday, July 13, 2011 at Mayville Lutheran Church in Mayville. Interment: 3:00 PM at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Moorhead, MN.