Donald Yokiel, age 88, died Monday, February 16, 2026 at Parkview Care Center in Wells, MN. A visitation will be held 2-5:00 pm Sunday, February 22, 2026 at Nasinec Funeral Home in Wells, MN. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 am Monday, February 23, 2026 at St. Casimir Catholic Church in Wells, MN with a visitation one hour prior to the service (9:30-10:30 am).

On February 16, 2026, surrounded by love and his wife by his side, Donald “Don” Yokiel was called home.  We know heaven gained a good man and heard the familiar hum of his Moline as he drove through the pearly gates.

Don was the oldest of 7 children of Clem and Helen (Sonnek) Yokiel.  He was born on the family farm outside of Wells on July 19, 1937.  He graduated from Wells High School in 1955.  After high school, he started his life-long career of being a farmer.  He took a short break from farming and served his country.  After being discharged, he returned to farming.  Dad’s love of dancing would light up the floor and this is where he would meet his future bride at the Golden Bubble Ballroom.  On his birthday, July 19, 1969, he married the love of his life, Deanna Kay Jerdet.  To this union five children were born – Jean (Matt) Dikken, Blue Earth; Michael (Stacy) Yokiel, St. Peter; Bruce (Tami) Yokiel, Austin; Kenneth (Sarah) Yokiel, Wells, and Darin Yokiel, Wells.  Though not all of the grandchildren were related by blood, he never made that distinction, family was family to him.

They raised their five children on the family farm where he had dairy cattle, chickens, pigs and much to Dad’s dismay, one horse.  In 1971, the farming operation switched to organic crops which he was proud of.  He enjoyed meeting people from all over the world when they came to the farm to hear about the organic operation.  Dad loved to talk, make people laugh with his sense of humor and quick one lines.  He was a strong man of faith and lived by the Ten Commandments with #2 violated on more than one occasion.  Upon semi-retiring in 1997, which coincidentally was when the last kid graduated high school, he was then able to travel.  He traveled to Alaska, Hawaii, Smokey Mountains, a couple cruises, and trips to his sisters.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years; his children; 12 grandchildren; two great grandchildren; siblings Mary Schulz, Richmond, VA, Ray (Marti) Yokiel, Lakeville, MN, Rita (Charles) Gravely, Avon, MT, Ann (Pat) McNabb, Big Rapids, MI, and Charles (Sally) Yokiel, Wells, MN; sister-in-Law, Leona Yokiel, Wells, MN; along with many nieces, nephews and their families.  He was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law; his brother, George; brother-in-law, Gerald Schulz, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.