Donnie Joe Lira, age 66, of Mt. Iron, MN died Sunday, June 13, 2010 in Great Scott Twp. He was born November 12, 1943 in Los Angeles, CA the son of Joe and Jean Lira. He received his GED and joined the Air Force in 1961 as a way to leave the harsh streets of Los Angeles. Throughout his 20-year military career, Donnie served all over the world and was a veteran of the Vietnam War.
Following his military career, Donnie worked as a cable splicer until an injury forced him to retire. He chose to live out his days here on the Iron Range. He was a lifetime member of the NRA, and a member of the VFW and the North American Hunting Club. His favorite activity was to have a family BBQ and visit with everyone – especially his grandchildren.
Donnie is survived by his minor children: Gabrielle Lira, Matthew Lira, and stepdaughter Katie Wierimaa, all of Mt. Iron; his adult children: Lou Lira of Australia, Ronnie Lira of CA, Tracy Gonier (Bill Johnson) of Virginia, MN, and Denise (Shawn) Jensen of Eveleth, MN; grandchildren: Danver Morrow, Terran Morrow, Kody Nordstrom, Shelby Nordstrom, Christine Johnson, Kristi Leigh Jensen, Ryan Turner, Stephanie Turner, and Christopher and Max Odoski, great grandson: Rykar Jensen; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother: Alvin Mitchel; Sister: Barbara Rias; his daughter: Dawn Rose Odoski; and good friend: Donald Stratton.
A memorial celebration of Donnie's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 23, 2010, in the Bauman-Cron Funeral Home Chapel. Please dress casually and wear flannel. The Virginia Servicemen's Honor Guard will accord Military Honors. Inurnment will be in the Lakeview Cemetery in Buhl.
Memorial gifts are preferred.
Family services are provided by Bauman-Cron, a Bauman Family Funeral Home, in Virginia. To leave remembrances of Donnie on-line please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com.

Born: November 12, 1943 Place of Birth: Los Angeles, CA Death: June 13, 2010 Place of Death: Great Scott Township, MN 55768 Occupation: Cable Splicer, retired Hobbies: Family BBQ's & time with his grandchildren Organizations: VFW, NRA, North American Hunting Club Celebration of Life Service Wednesday June 23, 2010 , 11:00 a.m. at Bauman-Cron Funeral Home Chapel
Inurnment Wednesday June 23, 2010 at Lakeview Cemetery - Buhl
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Memorial Gifts Preferred