Donald Martin Lund was born in rural ND near Sanish on December 28, 1928, to Martin and Clara (Hanson) Lund. He and his parents went to Benson, Minnesota for a short time, but returned to live on a farm on the river-bottom of the mighty Missouri. He attended rural school and graduated from Sanish high school, while learning his lifelong work ethic doing chores on that farm.

He started school early and even skipped a grade, resulting in this young 16-year-old being on his own after high school graduation. He worked at gas stations and maybe most notably on the Goodall ranch. There he spotted the beautiful young hired girl pumping water in a red dress and fell in love. He and Virginia Frisinger tied the knot on the Frisinger farm in June 1949. They moved to Keene, when Donny was recruited to manage Independent Farmers Oil Company,

During their years in Keene, he proved his work ethic - becoming an expert furnace installer and repairman, eventually owning gas stations in Keene and New Town, building grain bins in the “slow” time between planting and harvest, serving as substitute mail carrier, and establishing Lund Oil. He became a pillar in the Keene community - active in Clear Creek church, helping to establish the rural fire department, serving on the Blue Buttes school board…. Although Keene was never incorporated, the postmaster playfully put mail marked “Keene Mayor” in Donny’s PO Box. He was a proud member of the Elks and an active Mason and Shriner - receiving life-time achievement awards from those organizations. He also served as president of the North Dakota Propane Council and was an early initiate into their Hall of Fame.

During those busy years, he and Virginia raised four children, so family life filled every spare moment. That is - except for the Saturday night date, when he and Virginia, decked out in matching shirt and dress went square-dancing. Becoming a private pilot was one of his most joyful achievements. He drove one of the two cars full of WCHS teenagers to Minot for their final test in their aviation class - the pilots’ ground test. He also took the test that day and was quite proud that he outscored each and every one of those kids. Donny stayed physically active, an excellent bowler, an avid water-skier, snow-skier, and golfer - all activities that he still participated in well after his 70th birthday!

In later life, he and Virginia made Mesa, AZ their winter home. Don and Virginia moved to Watford City in 1999, though his heart probably remained in Keene, especially after Virginia, the love of his life, passed away in 2019. He resided in WC until his death.

Donny is survived by four children and their spouses - Terry and Ed Knuth of Austin, TX; Susan and Mike Tschetter of Watford City; Jeffery and Ann Lund of Cannon Falls, MN; and Jayson and Amy Lund of Watford City. Thirteen grandchildren - Arin (Stephanie) Knuth, Marti (Conrad) Cochran, Nathan (Carrie) Knuth, Keith (Dawn) Tschetter, Scott (Beth) Tschetter, David (Katie) Tschetter, Kami Crighton, Jeffrey (Kammy)Tschetter, Chris (Rosie) Lund, Jacob Lund, Rowdy (Miranda) Lund, Brady (Hilary) Lund, and Jory Lund. And 28 Great-Grandchildren!

He is also survived by his sisters - Coleen Johnson and Coreen (Richard) Beard of Williston; brother-in-law, Russell (Audrey) Frisinger and sister-in-law Lucy Frisinger; and his life-long friend, Hillard Pfundheller.

Donny was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Virginia; his parents, Martin and Clara Lund; Virginia’s parents, Frank and Bessie Frisinger; and daughter-in-law, MaryLou Lund.