Don Tuerk Memorial Scholarship
For those of you who were lucky enough to have known Don Tuerk, you were lucky enough! For those of you who did not know him, let us share a little bit about him:
Don was was born on September 29, 1943. Don was proposed for membership into the Fraternal Order of Eagles by John Deming and was initiated on May 22, 1966. That initiation was the beginning of 49 years of service and dedication to the Owatonna Eagles and the Owatonna community.
Don served in the Aerie as an officer in each of the chairs and served as President from 1992-1993. He continued his service and dedication to the Fraternal Order of Eagles by serving as an officer in the Eagles 5th District, eventually serving as the 5th District President from 2000–2001. Don proudly served on the Ritual Team for 25 years. He knew all of the Officer's Station parts by heart and very seldom missed a meeting.
After his retirement from the King Company, Don worked in the kitchen at the Owatonna Eagles helping with weddings and banquets for 15 years. He was also a member of the Owatonna Eagles Cancer Auction Committee, where he generously volunteered his time securing and picking up donation items for the event for many years. An early morning volunteer, he could be found regularly working at the Eagle's pancake breakfast fundraisers. Don was often the first person to start the "kick-off" campaign for a variety of fundraisers at the Club. And Don delivered Meals on Wheels.
Don was a good example of the Eagles Motto of “PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE”.
Don passed away on December 20, 2015.
His legacy will live on through this scholarship.
