Donald E. Batt

Funeral services for Donald Batt are tentatively set for 2:30 p.m. on Friday November 6, 2015 at St John’s Lutheran Church in Elkton, MN with the Rev Liz Erickson officiating. Burial will be in the Church Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 1:30 p.m. until time of service at the church.

Donald E. Batt, age 86, of Rochester and formerly of Elkton, MN died Monday November 2, 2015 at home.

He was born Donald Strohmann on a farm near Silver Lake, Ayrshre, IA and was raised by his grandmother until he was 8 years old. At the age of 8 he went to live with the Batt family and took the Batt name. As a child he worked 3 separate paper routs and attended school in Ayrshre, IA through the 9th grade. Don graduated from Manson, IA. After his graduation he moved to Peterson, MN where he purchased a farm. In 1951 he was drafted into the Marines and served 17 months in Korea . He was awarded a  Medal with 2 bronze stars and combat V, for going above and beyond the call of duty. While in the service he worked as an investigator arresting 275, 2 of which were North Korean Communist. While in the service he received letters of recognition from General Sheppard – Commandant of the Marine Corp and from President Eisenhower for the millions he saved the U.S. Govt.  On June 19, 1954 he was united in marriage to Marian Schopfer in St Louis, MO. Together they had 5 children; Paul, Rodney, Dale, Susan and Tracy.  Don and Marian started farming together in 1955. They later purchased a farm near Le Roy, MN and farmed there for many years. Don was named district farmer of the year in 1972-73. While farming Don worked part time doing Hail Adjusting and Crop Hail Management. In 1987 he quit farming and allowed his boys to take over the farm. Don took over the Des Moines Branch office for Crop Management and controlled 5 states. He was branch manager for 5 years. In 1988 Don and Marian were divorced. In 1990 he was united in marriage to Joyce Cowan in La Shone, WA. In 1991 they moved to Dexter, MN where he continued to work as a crop adjuster for RCIS. He retired in March of 2013 after 40 years with the company. After Joyce passed away Don met and lived with Cora Day of Rochester from 2000 until his death.

Don was a member of the Grand Meadow American Legion for 50 years serving as its’ commander in 1970, he served 15 years on the Le Roy Township Board, served on the Le Roy and Ostrander Elevator boards, served 2 terms on the St John’s Church Council and 1 term on the cemetery board he also served on the advisory committee for Farm Credit and enjoyed spending time in his wood shop.

He is survived by partner Cora Day of Rochester, children; Paul Batt of Grand Meadow, Rodney (Jean) Batt of Dickenson, ND, Susan Batt of Rochester and Tracy Batt of Cass Lake, MN, Step Children; Scott and Reed  both of California and Mary of Texas, five grandchildren; Tom, Chris, Maria, Mike and Alicia, 4 step grandchildren Tara, Eve, Jane and Katrina, 10 step- greatgrandchildren and a ½ sister Mary.  He was preceded in death by his wife Joyce, son Dale, Daughter-in-law Connie, ½ brothers Robert, Justin, Roger and Steve and ½ sister Carolyn and Ada.

Condolences may be left at www.Hindtfuneralhomes.com

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