Donnie Charles Harrison, age 73, passed away on Friday, February 24, 2017 at the Sanford Hospital in Bemidji, Minnesota.  Donnie was born on February 28, 1943 in Vinita, Oklahoma, the son of Virgil and Pauline (Reiter) Harrison.

Don grew up in Orville, CA.  He enlisted in the United States Navy on his 17th birthday.  He was in boot camp in Sacramento, California and Norfolk, Virginia.  Don went to sea; he became a tadpole while in the Mediterranean.  He was in the Navy for over nine years and during that time he was also in Japan, the Philippines and Hawaii.  Don was a 1st Class Boatswain Mate and was stationed aboard the USS Dixie, USS Columbus and a DD4 Destroyer.  He got off of the military to raise his children and care for his family.  Don met and married Ruby Losh in 1963 and together they had four children, Tonya, Donnie, Jimmie and Dawn.  Don, Ruby and the children moved and lived in Minneapolis from 1974-1979 and then moved to Cass Lake in 1979.  Don and Ruby went their separate ways and in 1983, he met and married Jessica Anderson.  Together they raised Jessica’s children Ron, Eric, Annessa, Kathy and Kelly.  Don was so proud of his 25 years of sobriety that he became a sponsor for others in need.  He worked for the Palace Casino as the Custodial Manager for 25+ years before retiring.  Donnie will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.

Family that Don meets again are his parents; Virgil and Pauline, brothers; Jimmie, Jack and Carl Harrison, mother of his children; Ruby Losh, grandson; Justin Harrison, granddaughter; Jami Headbird, step-daughter; Annessa Anderson, step-grandson; Sean O’Conner, other relatives and friends.

He leaves behind his sons; Donnie D. (Tina) Harrison, Sr. and Jimmie Harrison both of Cass Lake, daughters; Tonya (Terry) Losh and Dawn Wind both of Cass Lake, sisters; Dixie Day of Tennessee and Maryann Harrison of California, step-children; Ronald, Eric, Kathy and Kelly and their mother Jessica, numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other family and many friends.

An overnight wake for Don will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 28th and continue until his 1:00 p.m. service on Wednesday, March 1st all being held at the Prescott Community Center in Cass Lake.  Pastor Mark R. Olson will officiate.  Pallbearers for Don will be his grandsons Martin Wind, Alvin Wind, Billy Joe Headbird, Donnie Harrison, Jr., Dennis Copenace, Kenneth Copenace, Jimmie Harrison, Jr., Jim Harrison and Elliott Gillis.  His honorary pallbearers are all of his grandchildren.  Interment will be in Pine Grove Cemetery at Cass Lake following his Wednesday service.  Military honors accorded by the Leech Lake Honor Guard.

Donnie’s care has been entrusted to Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker.  Online condolences for the family may be left at www.northernpeace.com