Donald Robert Sherper, age 81, died peacefully at home at 4:35 pm on Feb. 11, from congestive heart failure associated with cardiac amyloid. Known by his siblings and childhood friends as Bob, he was born to Julia Ovidia Olson Sherper (formerly of Osseo, WI) and David Earl Sherper (formerly of Belarus, then Sheyboygan, WI). Don grew up in south Minneapolis and spent his summers farming with his great uncles in Osseo, WI. At the age of 14, he requested a school transfer to study agriculture at Roosevelt High. Don was active in FFA, the Grange, and National Forensic Society. As a senior in high school, Don joined the active Naval Reserve and served 8 years. Don graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture with a major in animal husbandry and minors in agronomy and mechanized farming. Don rented farms in Osseo, WI and near Hamel, MN prior to purchasing a farm in Livonia Township in 1962.
Don married Rochelle (Shelley) Renee Christensen on June 28, 1969 in Fremont Congregational Church, Fremont, NE. Shelley was born in Fontanelle, Nebraska and raised on a dairy farm near Fremont.
He was instrumental in the creation of the Sugarbush Preserve in Livonia Township. He protected his own acreage from future development by placing it in a conservation easement with the Minnesota Land Trust. Don helped develop agriculture policy as an early, integral member of the Minnesota Food Association. He served on the Central Minnesota Initiative Fund Board of Trustees from October 1986 through June 1997. Don was one of the original members of the Sherburne County Solid Waste Advisory Committee.
He conscientiously served Livonia Township as Supervisor from March 1999 until December 2014, and as Town Chair from 2001-2013. In addition to his local service.
Don is predeceased by parents Julia and David, and brother David Earl Sherper, Jr. Don is survived by his wife, Rochelle, currently living at St. Therese at Oxbow Lake in Brooklyn Park, MN. Other survivors include: son Kevin Alan Sherper Walker (42), daughter-in-law Rachel Elena Durkee Walker (48), grandson Leif Alan Walker (14), and granddaughter Sanna Eve Walker (12) of Golden Valley, MN; daughter Karen June Sherper Rohs (42), son-in-law Tony Shawn Rohs (44), granddaughters Arabelle Renee Rohs (9) and Madelynn Sherper Rohs (6) of Elk River, MN; sister Naomi Joyce Sherper (82) of Whitefish, MT and Tumwater, WA; brother Kenneth Howard Sherper (80), sister-in-law Julieanna Morrell Sherper (78), niece Dawn Evette Sherper (48) of Whitefish, MT; niece Lisa Jane Sherper (49) of Kensington, MD; brother Keith Warren Sherper (80), sister-in-law Phyllis (76) of Falls Church, VA; niece Linda Thanh Sherper-Heiney (51) of Dunn Loring, VA; nephew Steven Pham Sherper (53).
The family invites the public to attend Don’s Memorial Service Saturday, March 19, at 10:30 am at Union Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, 1118 4th St. NW, Elk River. A luncheon will follow at the church. Private interment will be at Livonia Cemetery, southeast corner of intersection of 245th Ave. and 104th St., Livonia Twp., Sherburne Co.
