Obit: Blackhawk, Donald (1929 - 2007)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Blackhawk, Wilson, Cavanaugh, Red Eagle, Olson, Smith

----Sources: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI.) December 19, 2007

Blackhawk, Donald (February 24, 1929 - December 16, 2007)

Donald Blackhawk, 78, of Black River Falls and St. Paul, MN, died Sunday, December 16, 2007, in Abbott North-western Hospital, Minneapolis, MN.

Donald was born February 24, 1929, near Black River Falls, to Andrew and Lucy (Wilson) Blackhawk. He was raised in the Black River Falls area and attended the Dells Dam School (Clark Co.).

He married the former Georgelene Cavanaugh in North Dakota. The couple lived in Kansas City, MO, prior to moving to St. Paul. For the past eight years, Donald lived both in Black River Falls and St. Paul.

Donald was employed as a Native American student counselor by the St. Paul Public School System. He also served as an alcohol counselor for many years, having received his training at a school in Salt Lake City, UT. He also served as a board member for Multi-Cultural Services/Native American Studies—University of Minnesota and was a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation Traditional Court and a Ho-Chunk Nation language instructor.

He was a member of the Warrior Clan.

Survivors include his wife, Georgelene Blackhawk of St. Paul; two daughters, Geraldine and Lucy Blackhawk, both of St. Paul; six sons, Delbert of Minneapolis and Donald Jr., Mark, Reginald, Gerald and Andrew John Blackhawk, all of St. Paul; 15 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and numerous other relatives.

He was preceded in death by a son, Russell Dean; a daughter, Lynn Marie; three sisters, Adele (Adelaide) Red Eagle, Margaret Olson, and Virginia Smith; and brothers.

Funeral services will be held at noon Wednesday, December 19, 2007, at the Blue Wing Community Center, rural Tomah. Burial will be in Decorah Cemetery, rural Black River Falls.

Friends and family were invited for visitation from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Torkelson Funeral Home, Tomah, and are invited Wednesday from 10 a.m. until services at the Blue Wing Community Center.

The Buswell Funeral Home (www.buswellfuneralhome.com), Black River Falls, is assisting the family with arrangements.