Donald Kenneth Sovell
July 23, 1928 – December 12, 2024
Donald Kenneth Sovell, a lifelong resident of Minneapolis, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at home of old age on December 12, 2024, at the age of 96.
Born on July 23, 1928, in Minneapolis to Stanley and Joanna Sovell, originally of Ivanhoe, Minnesota, Don grew up alongside his older brother Raymond and younger sister, Roseann. From an early age, Don exhibited a kind and generous spirit that would define his life.
Don attended Annunciation Grade School in Minneapolis where in 1942 he was the recipient of the Annunciation Dominican Award, given to an Annunciation graduate who demonstrates gospel values in their life's work, be it at home, in the community, or the workplace.
After Annunciation, Don went to Washburn High School from 1943 to 1946, where he stood out as both a scholar and an athlete. In recognition of his achievements, he was inducted into the Washburn Hall of Fame in 2007, having earned letters in five varsity sports. He took great pride in his academic accomplishments while at Washburn, serving as the senior class president, student council president, and a member of the National Honor Society. Don was a two year starter in football and played halfback as a sophomore and halfback and quarterback as a senior when he was named to the Minneapolis Conference All-City Team. In basketball, Don was a two year starter and in 1946 he was captain of the first Washburn basketball team to win both the Minneapolis City Conference Basketball and Twin City Championships. The team went to the Minnesota State Basketball Tournament where it lost by one point. In baseball, Don played on Washburn teams that won the Minneapolis City Conference and Twin City Championships in 1944 and 1945. Don was named to the Minneapolis Conference All City Team as a junior.
Following his graduation from Washburn, and after passing on an invitation to play football at Notre Dame University, Don continued his education at St. Thomas College, where he once again distinguished himself in academics and athletics. He earned four letters in football and three in basketball, graduating in 1950 with numerous honors. Don was named Mr. Tommy of the Class of 1950, played on the 1949 Cigar Bowl team, served as senior class president, became a member of the National Delta Epsilon Sigma (Catholic Scholastic Honor Society), and graduated Magna Cum Laude.
In 1943 on his first day at Washburn, Don saw Barbara Hoffman who he married on June 24, 1950. Together they shared nearly 51 marvelous years of marriage before Barbara’s passing in May of 2001. They had six children and nine grandchildren.
In 1952 Don began teaching and coaching. Over the years, he taught and was the head football coach at North and South High Schools in Minneapolis. At various times Don also coached boys and girls basketball, baseball, and golf while teaching at Marshall High School for 11 years, North for 10 years, and South for 9 years before retiring in 1982. After retirement as a teacher, he continued to serve as an assistant coach at high schools, including Cretin-Derham Hall when Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer was a freshman. "Taught him everything he knew," Sovell quipped.
Don was a devoted family man who cherished spending time with his loved ones. He had a passion for camping, canoeing, and fishing—activities he eagerly shared with his children during their youth. These adventures became treasured family traditions that later extended to his grandchildren, creating countless joyful memories that are fondly reminisced about by all who joined him on those trips.
Don’s warmth and love for his family left an indelible mark on all who knew him. His legacy lives on in the stories shared around campfires and the enduring bonds he nurtured within his family. May his memory bring comfort to those who knew and loved him.
Don is preceded in death by his wife, Barbara; parents, Stanley and Joanna; son, Peter; brother, Raymond; daughter-in-law, Tracy Gladstone; and son-on-law, Melaku Endeshaw. Don is survived by children, Kate (jeff), James (Janet), John (Karen), Mary Endeshaw, and Laurie (Santiago); grandchildren, Meghan (Yoko) and Joshua (David) Sovell, Noah, Adam, Jessica, and Alex Endeshaw, Carrington Sovell, & Leo and Rubi Sovell-Fernandez.
Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at Church of the Annunciation, 509 W 54th St, Minneapolis, MN 55419. Visitation from 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. on Friday December 20, 2024, at Gill Brothers Funeral Home, 5801 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN and one hour prior to Mass. Interment Resurrection Cemetery.
