Don Axtman, 75, passed away at his home at Lake Ida on Monday, April 16, 2024. He was born Feb. 25, 1949, in St. Paul, MN. Don grew up in rural Southam, ND, attending school there until 5th grade, and graduated from Crary High School in 1967. After high school, he majored in Business Studies at the former Lake Region Junior College and the University of North Dakota.
Following school, he worked at the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) site in Nekoma, ND. Don married Cathy Hanson on June 18, 1971, in Devils Lake, ND and they made their home there. They welcomed two daughters, Shelly and Cheri. Don also started working in the car business while in Devils Lake.
In 1992, they moved to Grand Forks, ND, where he worked for Hansen Ford as a sales manager for their auto finance store. He loved all things cars and always enjoyed making a “deal.”
In 2005, he was transferred to Bismarck, ND, where they lived until 2009, when they moved to Fargo, ND. Don was able to fulfill his dream of retiring and living on the lake in 2019, when he moved to Lake Ida. There, he enjoyed boating, fishing, perfecting his yard, and socializing with his neighbors. On weekends, he took great pride in entertaining friends and family, especially granddaughters, Paige and Maddy.
Don is survived by his wife, Cathy, daughters, Shelly Axtman (Fargo, ND) and Cheri (Stu) Jerger (Moorhead, MN); granddaughters, Paige Elaine Jerger and Maddy Lorraine Jerger; sister, Cindy (Margie) Schall (Mankato, MN); brother-in-law, Verlin Hanson (Acton, CA); and cousin, Alan (Colleen) Reed (Dickinson, ND).
He was preceded in death by his parents; mother and father-in-law, Wendell and Elaine (Summer) Hanson; brothers-in-law, Gil Hanson and Darrold Schall; sister-in-law, Candi Hanson; and good friend, Jerry Johnson.
Celebration of Life Service: 5:00 p.m. Friday, April 26, 2024, with visitation one hour prior at Atonement Lutheran Church in Fargo, ND.
Arrangements entrusted to the care of Boulger Funeral Home in Fargo, ND. To sign the online guestbook, please visit our website at www.boulgerfuneralhome.com.
