Donald Meyer, 88

 Donald E. Meyer, 88, of New Prague, died Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012 at Mala Strana Health Care Center in New Prague. Don was born February 22, 1924, in New Market Township, a son of Albert and Dorothea (Meinke) Meyer. He attended Country District School at New Market and New Prague High School. Following graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Navy (1942-46, Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class) and was sent to a service school, where he studied power engineering. Don later served aboard a destroyer and a battleship in both the Atlantic and the Pacific. After the landing at Normandy, his ship traveled through the Panama Canal to the Pacific, where it continued to Tokyo Bay. He married Charlotte (Shirley) Kajer on November 9, 1946, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in New Prague. He worked for five years at the REA in in Elk River and then served as superintendent of New Prague Utilities for 41 years. Don was a member of the New Prague Planning Commission and was a past president of New Prague Opportunities. He was also a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club, the VFW and American Legion. He was active in Boy Scouts, serving as assistant scoutmaster and advisor of Explorer Scouts. Don was also a past president of the Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency. In his leisure time, Don loved woodworking, camping, hunting and fishing. He is survived by his wife; seven children Carol (Don) Trytten, Overland Park, KS, Bruce (Debbie) Meyer, New Prague, Ken (Jackie) Meyer, Eden Prairie, Dona Meyer, Prior Lake, Paul (Terri) Meyer, Bloomington, John (Erica) Meyer, New Prague, and Liz (Bob Biaggio) Olson, Zimmerman; 13 grandchildren; five greatgrandchildren; and three sisters Ellen Kodadek, St. Louis Park, Elaine McGovern, Farmington, and Lorna (Joe) Docken, Webster. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothersin- law Bob Kodadek and Clayton McGovern. Funeral services will be held Friday, Oct. 5, at 7 p.m., at the Bruzek Funeral Home in New Prague. Interment will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis on Tuesday, Oct. 9. Urnbearer will be Bruce Meyer. Visitation is from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Hospice of the Twin Cities or the Peace Center in New Prague.