Donald W. Thuftin, age 94, of Almena, died peacefully Sunday, March 8th at his home.

Don was born in Barron on September 2, 1931, the son of Edward and Julia (Severson) Thuftin. He was baptized on July 10, 1935 at First Lutheran church of Arland. Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Antonson were his sponsors. He was confirmed at First Lutheran of Arland. Don attended 4 years of grade school at Liberty and 4 years at Columbus. He graduated from Barron High School in 1949. Don’s first job was at Quamland Dairy Farm where he worked off and on for 2 years while attending high school.

Don was drafted to the United States army and deployed to Korea where he was part of the battle of Pork Chop Hill and was wounded and received a purple heart. He recovered in Japan then returned to the US and was honorably discharged.

After the army, Donald worked in Almena, then the twin cities for a number of years. Don returned to Almena where he met the love of his life, Linda. Don and Linda were married on December 10, 1960 at the Lutheran Church in Ridgeland. He worked for many years at Koser Silo Works in Almena until they disbanded. He installed and serviced silo equipment for many of the farmers in the area. Don went to work at the Barron County Incinerator in 1987 when they opened and retired on September 2, 2006 at the age of 75.

Don was a member of the Almena volunteer Fire Dept retiring at age 65 after 35 years of service. He served several terms on the Almena Village Board and until recently was on The Housing Authority of Almena. Don was an active member of First Lutheran Church of Arland. Over the years he has served as recording secretary, treasurer and Decan.

He enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, softball, dart ball, bowling, snowmobiling with the Almena snowmobile club and he was always up for a game of cards. Don also enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, Canada, Norway (4 times) and Denmark (to visit granddaughter Alyssa studying abroad.)

Don is survived by his wife, Linda of 65 years of marriage; daughter, Donna (Steve) Hannagan; son, David; granddaughters, Alyssa Thuftin and Nichole (Peter) Kniep; great- grandsons, Theo and Callan Kniep; as well as nieces, nephews and friends.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Julia; brothers, Orville, Olaf (Adele}, Alvin (Shirley), Martin (Pearl) and Gordon; sisters, Evelyn (Joe) Rischette, Berdean (Everett) Curtis and Ruth (Glen) Solberg; and nephew, Ed Solberg.

Services will be held on Monday, March 16, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at First Lutheran church of Arland with Pastor Timothy Vettrus officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service with a dinner to follow. Burial will be at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery near Spooner following the meal at 3:00 p.m.

Last Update: Mar 10, 2026 9:27 am CDT