Donald Chester Girard passed away on March 20, 2025 at the Boundary Waters Care Facility in Ely with his family by his side, as he went to heaven to be with his savior.  Don was born in Bell Plain MN to Lawrence Girard and Emma Clark.  He attended school in Fergus Falls MN through the 8th grade.  At the age of 17 he joined the Army where he served for three years.   When he left the Army he moved to Babbitt MN and went to work at Erie Mining Company.  On November 1, 1957 he married Joyce Ann Bailey in Millbank South Dakota, they were married for 67 years, where they lived in Embarrass MN. 

He is survived by his wife Joyce and 5 children, Teresa (Mike) Dolinar of Soudan MN,  Rodney (Chong) Girard of Highland Lake NY, Vernon Girard of Princeton MN, Kenneth Girard of Embarrass, and James (Yolanda Rood) Girard of Brooklyn Center MN.  Five Grand Daughters, Amanda Kehus (Alex Marwick), Hana (Kai) Garlipp, Chyanne Girard (Casey Zins), Brandice Girard (Chris Duncan) and Liliah Girard.  Two Great Grand Sons, Bellamy Girard and Rowan Zins, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was proceeded in death by his parents and 4 siblings.

Don worked as a Mechanic for 38 years.  He was a volunteer fireman for the Embarrass Fire Department, and an EMT.  Prior to retiring he had started to Ski at Giants Ridge where he then became a ski instructor, for 20 plus years.  He taught his granddaughters to ski, and we all have many memories of hours on the hills and ski lifts.   He made several trips to Colorado to go skiing vacations.

Don also did a lot of mechanic work, repair work, carpentry having built two houses in Embarrass, and at the Embarrass Evangelical Free Church, where he served on the Physical Properties Committee.  Don also loved to play guitar and sing country western songs.  He ministered at the church with the true servant’s heart.

The service will be at the Evangelical Free Church of Embarrass, on Saturday March 29th at 1:00 pm.

Family services are provided by Bauman-Vermilion, a Bauman Family Funeral Home, in Tower.  To express condolences online please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com.