Donald E. Kvarnberg, age 85, of Chelsea, MI, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 25, 2022. He was born on April 19, 1937 in Muskegon, MI, the son of Gustaf and Olga (Larson) Kvarnberg.
He married Carol Ann (Dahlquist) on May 7, 1960 in Muskegon, MI, and they were married for 62 years. He served in the Army National Guard of Michigan from 1959 -1963. Don worked at the Chrysler Proving Grounds as a brake engineer for 33 years, retiring in 1999.
He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Ann Arbor, where he was active in the Contemporary Services there, leading the music and playing his guitar. He was also a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Venice, FL for 20 years, where he especially enjoyed singing in their church choir and quartet.
Don was a charter member of the Chelsea Lions Club. He served on the board as Secretary for 14 years, and he volunteered countless hours for the Lions Club activities over the years. He was also active in Boy Scouts, and served as Troop Leader for Pack 425.
Don enjoyed music throughout his life. He played the trumpet, and at one point he was a member of the Scottville Clown Band. If there was an opportunity to join a community concert band or choir, Don would jump right in. He participated in the Ann Arbor Concert Band, Chelsea Community Choir, North Port Concert Band, and the Silver Maples Choir.
He was a life-member of Inverness Country Club. He also enjoyed swimming, biking, and playing cards. He was a Michigan fan at heart. He loved to tinker, and he could fix (and break) anything. He enjoyed working outside in his yard and always had a garden full of vegetables, berries, and flowers.
After his retirement, Don and Carol spent their winters in Venice, FL, and their summers in Chelsea. They enjoyed traveling with family and friends. They enjoyed many cruises and traveled throughout the United States and Europe. Don had a group of five friends from high school, often referred to as the "Brothers." Over the years they kept in touch and had an annual trip to somewhere special. The bond he had with the "Brothers" and their wives was something he cherished. He was proud of his Swedish heritage, and he enjoyed the traditional Swedish smorgasbord at Christmas time.
Most of all Don loved his family. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He especially loved watching his children and grandchildren in their sports activities and music concerts. He had a sweet disposition and funny sense of humor, and that continued until his last day. He loved the Chelsea community and the place he called home for the past 56 years.
In addition to his wife, Carol, he is survived by four children: Steve (Paula) Kvarnberg of Lake Clarke Shores, FL, Chris Kvarnberg (Patrick Powers) of Kalamazoo, Cindy (John) Mitchell of Chelsea, and David (Julie Sanfilippo) Kvarnberg of Forest Park, IL; nine grandchildren: Haley and Erik Kvarnberg, Eretia (Cole) Warner, Paige (Brad) Carpenter, Jacob Schultz (Elisa Ortega); Wesley, Mason, AJ, and Sophie Mitchell; great-grandchildren: Eli Warner, Leo and Aubrie Carpenter, and Nehemiah and Seth Salazar; one sister, Grace Reishus, one brother, Lee (Maria Elena) Kvarnberg, brother-in-law, Ron (Sue) Dahlquist, and nieces and nephews: Ingrid (Brian) Bowers, Kiersten Zweibaum, and Daniel (Elyse Julian) Kvarnberg, Barb (Matt) Whitney, and Bill (Stephanie) Dahlquist.
Over the years the Kvarnberg family took in two exchange students: Per Gellstrom from Sweden in 1974, and Joanne Westra from the Netherlands in 1979. These two young individuals quickly won the hearts of all the Kvarnbergs, and they will always be part of the family.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 1, 2022, 11:00 a.m., at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea, with Pastor Jeff Crowder officiating. A private burial will take place at North Lake Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday, June 30, 2022 from 4-7 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Silver Maples of Chelsea or Faith in Action. Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home.
