February 06, 1940 - May 08, 2018
Donald Martin Koellen, 78, passed away surrounded by love with his family by his side on May 8, 2018 in Spokane Valley, WA. He was born February 6, 1940 in Minneapolis, MN, the youngest of four sons. Don was a three sport varsity athlete who graduated from West High School in 1958. He married his wife Arlene (Leeny) in 1961 in Minneapolis and joined the Navy a year later. As new parents, Don and Leeny moved to Seattle in 1964 when Don began his career in automotive parts sales, following in the footsteps of his father and brothers who also worked in the auto industry. After traveling to Spokane for years on business, Don moved the family to Spokane Valley in 1976, in part because the seasonal weather reminded him of home. Don loved playing and watching all sports, especially baseball. He followed his children’s sports activities avidly, cheering on his sons at their wrestling matches and coaching his youngest daughter’s soccer team for years. He was a great storyteller who loved to make up scary stories and tall tales. He loved dogs, old Westerns, analyzing politics, fried chicken from Ron’s Drive-In and chocolate malts from Dairy Queen. Don enjoyed cooking and was the master of barbecuing, even outside in the snow. There was nothing better than a sunny day spent out on his boat with the family. His annual fishing trips in the fall on the Columbia River with his son-in-law, sons and high school buddies meant a great deal to him. Don loved people and was genuinely interested in everyone, making friends wherever he went. In recent years Don faced serious health challenges, yet he still maintained his sense of humor and the ability to pull pranks, especially at Sullivan. He was a fighter until the end and will be deeply missed by us all. Don is survived by his wife Leeny; children Mike Koellen of Santa Clarita, CA, Lynn (Steve) McCulley of Atherton, CA, Todd (Lori) Koellen of Cheney, Donny Koellen of Spokane, and Jenny (Rick) Simmet of Spokane; grandchildren Drew, Megan, Peyton, Hayley, Jordan, Ellee, Eli, Kaden, and Jenna; three nieces and one nephew; and many beloved friends in Spokane and Minneapolis. Don was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Julia Eiserlo Koellen, and his brothers Ted, Jack and Bob. The Koellen family would like to thank Mia Anguiano and the staff at Sullivan Park Care Center for loving and caring for our father. A service with military honors will be held at 2:15 pm on Friday, June 1st, 2018 at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery, 21702 W Espanola Rd, Medical Lake, WA. A celebration of Don’s life will follow from 3:00 – 5:00 pm at 9615 W Melville Rd, Cheney, WA.
