Published in the Askov American, Askov, MN June 18, 2009

James “Don” Piette, 82, of Moose Lake, died Tuesday, June 9, 2009, in Mercy Health Care Center, Moose Lake. He was born August 8, 1926, in Brule, Wisconsin, to LeRoy and Elsie (Sommer) Piette. Don lived in Brule, Grantsburg and Aitkin before moving to Moose Lake. Don was a graduate of Moose Lake High School. He worked on the Great Lakes ships. Don was an Army veteran of World War II. Don worked for AT&T and was a line foreman for REA for 39 years, retiring in 1988. Don also worked part time at both the Lake Theatre and the Moose Lake Drive Inn.

Don was former fire chief for the Moose Lake Fire Department. He also drove ambulance. He was a member of Holy Angels Catholic Church as well as the Moose Lake American Legion Post 379. Don enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting, gardening and especially spending time at the lake with his family.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; two children, Connie Elizabeth and Theresa Ann; two brothers, Willis Piette and David Piette; one sister-in-law, Ann Piette.

Don is survived by his loving wife, Mary of Moose Lake; seven children, Joseph (Diane) Piette of Esko, James E. (Jill) Piette of Moose Lake, Paul (Shirlee) Piette of Duluth, John Piette of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Michael (Kelly) Piette of Duluth, Michelle (Tim) Michaelson of Cloquet and Martha (Brent) Edgmond of Laurel, Montana; 12 grandchildren, David, Abby, Gena, Cynthia, Michael, Christopher, Matthew, Sean, Nikolai, Alyssa, Ian and Charles James; one great grandson, Chase; two brothers, Howard (Betty) Piette of Vancouver, Washington, and Richard Piette of Black River Falls, Wisconsin; one sister, Margaret “Peggy) (Dr. Earl) Grass of Sacramento, CA; two sisters-in-law, Lois Piette of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Vern Piette of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin.

A gathering of Family and friends was Friday, June 12 from2 p.m. until the 4 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial in Holy Angels Catholic Church, Moose Lake. Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers. Don’s family would like to thank the staff at Mercy Health Care Center for their wonderful care. Inurnment will be in Sunset Memorial Cemetery, Moose Lake.

Arrangements with Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake.