Donald C. Mcleod

Donald C. McLeod, 93, of La Crosse, died on Monday, May 15, 2023, at the Gundersen Health System in La Crosse. He was born on April 6, 1930, in Pipestone, MN to Duncan and Catherine (McEachern) McLeod. Don left home at age 18.  He drove a 22-ton truck in Pickstown, South Dakota for 1 year from 1948 to 1949.  Don went for 3 years to the University of Minnesota where he majored in Speech and Theater.  He was in a school play titled "Phoenix Too Frequent" and played a Greek soldier boy.  It was a smash hit and was sold out at the theater.  At the Edyth Bush Theater in Minneapolis, Don played an English Detective, a young romantic.  He was one of the principals.  That play was a success also.  At the age of 23 Don joined the Air Force.  He learned how to fly a small plane and got a pilot's license after flying solo for 16 hours.  He left the Air Force with an honorable discharge.  Using the G.I. Bill, Don signed up to finish his last year in college at San Francisco State College. His theater major was Drama.  Audition after audition, only a few jobs.  Don said there is a lot of acting talent in California, so he joined a union and got a job with Coca Cola again driving a truck.   As years went by, Don needed a bi-pass, so he had bi-pass surgery by a cardiologist in San Francisco.  Don had to have another bi-pass within 1 or 2 yrs.  He decided to move to La Crosse, Wisconsin to be near his sister, Kathleen Elva Du Pae and family.  Along the way, Don married his love, Sontiya Wood, in Reno.

Donald is to be remembered as the beloved brother and supporter of his sister Kathleen Du Pae, a kind and generous uncle to his nieces, Bonnie Reese, Denise Shackleford, Michelle Claypool, and Ann Best, and grandniece Darcy Best Bjornstad.  Donald McLeod was a gifted songwriter, guitar, fiddle, and string instrument musician. who endeared himself to all with his talents.

A private graveside service will be held at Oak Grove Cemetery.