Don Minch passed peacefully into God's hands on May 8, 2020. Don was one of seven children born to Henry Minch, Sr. and Anna Carol Minch. Don came into this world on March 2, 1932 at home on the family farm located at Highland Lake.
Growing up he attended school at Mead School and helped with the farm. He would spend much of his life on this farm. Don met Betty Lawing who was working as a waitress in a café. She would become the love of his life and they would spend the next 64 years together until Betty’s passing in 2014. Don was a man of many talents and interests. In his youth he enjoyed drawing and his focus was on birds. He loved wood and through the years produced some beautiful pieces. Don spent many years participating as a pitcher for a fast pitch softball league playing in Longmont, Johnstown and Loveland. Fishing and hunting rounded out Don’s sporting interests – both of which he was quite successful at.
There was always music in Don’s life. He played the accordion and harmonica so whenever there was a gathering, of which there were many, playing music and dancing were always a result. When not providing the music, Don loved to dance the jitterbug. His last opportunity to enjoy that was trying to teach his therapist in rehab just a few months before his passing. Don’s first career was farming, but along the way he and Betty also ran a dairy. Don also had an upholstery shop for a time where he made the cushions for Red Dale Campers. He and Betty had a small recreation area on their farm located a few miles from Highland Lake where they had two manmade lakes which were stocked with fish, a playground area for the kids and a concession stand for snacks and beverages.
During the mid-sixties Don had the Pool Hall on Main Street in Mead. Don is preceded in death by his wife, Betty, his parents Henry and Anna Minch, brothers Charles, Henry, Robert, Henry Wing, and sister Ruth Lawing. He is survived by his sister Alice Lawing of Longmont, Henry Jr (Marylou) of Mead, daughter Diane Lauppe of Firestone and son Gary Minch of Mead, He is also survived by grandchildren Wendy Derr, Robin Teaupa (Pita), Jeremy Minch (Cheryl), Ty Hodge (Susan) and great grandchildren Cypren, Elijah, Jacob, Isaiah, Maliana, Jordan, Letiane and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Don’s smile, sense of humor and sparkly personality will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
