March 6, 1938 ~ February 20, 2021

Born in Loon Lake, Saskatchewan to Frank and Agnus Bodoano. Don and his older brother Denis grew up together on the family homestead in Loon River District. Don attended Loon River school until grade 8, when he quit to play hockey in the local playoffs. Dad enjoyed time spent hunting, fishing and trapping with his cousins Eddie and John Lantz.

In those years Saskatchewan farm boys were in demand, so finding employment was not too difficult. Don worked on threashing, logging, construction crews, and also as a lineman for CN Rail which transitioned into long term employment with AGT. Don did a variety of work for AGT but identified most closely with the life and work on the road with the guys on the tower crew.

When Don first came to Alberta in quest of employment, he found a second home with Jake and Leota Unrau. Conveniently the Powell family were neighbours and their daughter Linda caught Don’s eye. This lead to their marriage on January 9, 1960, followed by the birth of Wendy Lou (1960), Sandra Kathleen (1962) and the last addition of Jason Charles (1970).

Don and Linda’s first home in Edmonton was a rented basement suite with a shared bath. Later they moved on to the Powell farm and then in 1967 the family moved into a NEW house in the Steele Heights area of Edmonton. However their country roots and love for “wild spaces” led them to an acreage North East of Gibbons were they built their dream home in 1974. Don’s family time was spent coaching both softball and hockey, camping trips and horse activities. Don had a life long passion for horses, especially thoroughbreds and racing. Don was a fan, an owner and a breeder with varied success in every aspect of the sport.

Don was also very proud of his grandchildren and took much pleasure in watching them play hockey, rugby, football and equine sports. He was equally pleased to add the “GREAT” to his title when the great grandchildren started to arrive.

Life invariably has it’s trials, Don suffered his greatest loss with the decline of his loving wife’s health. In 2009 Linda was diagnosed with Alzheimer and remained on the farm thru Don’s determination and commitment along with the support of family and friends. Don and Linda were able to celebrate their 60^th anniversary before illness conquered their ability to cope. Linda was placed in care at Aspen House in June of 2020. Prior to this, Don’s attitude in life had been he could overcome any obstacle or repair the broken. This long struggle is what Don considered to be his greatest defeat because he couldn’t fix it. In the end, Don left us from the Home he built where so many memories were made and cherished by those friends and family who knew him best. Don will be forever remembered by his wife, Linda; children, Wendy (Chester), Sandy (Kevin) and Jason (Debbie); grandchildren, Amanda (Scott), Caleb (Taneal), Dylan, Zane (Candace), Lisa (Delton), Nathan (Stacie), Quinn (Erika), Lee (Sarah), Bradley (Autumn), Kimberly (Kyle) and Rayleen (Shane); great grandchildren, Emberly, Weston, Sage, Aurora, Ellie, Isla, Layalee, Avarie, Chloe, Gavin, Harrison, London, Edison and Annalina; brother, Denis (dolly); as well as numerous extended family and friends.

Celebration of Life
Due to the current Covid 19 restrictions on gatherings
a private service is to be held