Donald A Tehven

1/12/1931 - 11/01/2025

Donald Tehven, 94, formerly of St. Paul, died Nov. 01, 2025, at the Minneapolis Veteran’s Home. Don was born in Georgetown, Minnesota. He was raised in farming communities along the Red River Valley, where he developed his love for sports, especially baseball; playing and coaching town ball and following his beloved Yankees (don’t hold it against him). Don and his brothers were drafted into the military, and he served in the Marines from 1952 - 1954. He took advantage of the GI bill and attended the University of North Dakota, majoring in journalism (with a particular interest in sports writing). He met his wife, Mary Helen Lamb while working on the yearbook staff together. They married in 1959 and moved to Montana where Don worked at Western Life Insurance. Don was transferred to St. Paul MN where he and Mary raised their four daughters. Don worked with the same company for over 30 years, retiring at 65. He then promptly went out and worked two jobs - at Highland Park golf course (later at Town and Country) and the St Paul Public library. After proving he could re-shelve a cart of books faster than his younger colleagues, Don retired (truly) at age 80, not looking “a day over 79”.

In addition to baseball, Don enjoyed golfing, crossword puzzles, fishing, a good grilled-cheese sandwich with tomato soup, collecting stamps and coins, attending MN State high school sports tournaments, and taking care of his lawn. A child of the Great Depression, Don was careful with his money. According to some semi-reliable sources, once when opening his wallet to buy a round of beer after golfing, a moth flew out.

Don will be greatly missed, and lovingly remembered as a kind, quiet man with an easy smile and a sharp sense of humor.

Preceded in death by his Father Wendell Tehven; Mother Gina (Peterson) Tehven; Sisters Donna Marie, Patricia, and Beverly; Brothers Marvin, Lowell, and Rolfe.

Survived by Wife Mary Helen (Lamb) Tehven; Daughters Jeanne Tehven, Julia (George) Sutton, Mary Tehven, and Margaret Tehven (Dan Falbo); Sister Marjeanne; Brother Jon; Grandchildren Beau, Julian, Ruby, Gabriel, and Rosemary.

Services will be held at 11 AM, November 28th, at Willwerscheid Funeral Home, 1167 Grand Ave, St. Paul, MN with visitation 1 hour prior and reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to the Minnesota Veterans Homes – Minneapolis in honor of Don. 

Donations by check may be made payable to MVH–Minneapolis and mailed to:

MVH–Minneapolis

Attn: Cheryl Garrison, Public Affairs

5101 Minnehaha Ave. S.

Minneapolis, MN 55417

Online donations may be made through the secure MVH–Minneapolis portal at:

https://mn.gov/mdva/donate/minneapolis-donations.jsp