Donald E. Weller

Age 90, of Woodbury, passed away peacefully on August 5, 2025.

He was preceded in death by parents, Emmett & Viola (Langevin) Weller; granddaughter, Lyndsey; sister, Vicki; and aunt, Alice Langevin.

Survived by loving wife, Mary; sons, David (Gena), Daniel (Gina), Donn (Diana); daughter, Nikola (William) Wigstrom; 9 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild; stepchildren, Carmen (Brent) Johnson, William (Carrie) Rodriguez; 4 step-grandchildren; and lifelong friend, Marshall Burke.

Don was born in St. Paul, attended Marshall H.S. (1950-1953), and graduated from St. Paul Central (1954). He lived most of his life in White Bear Lake and was a resident of Woodbury for the past 20 years.

Don was known as a boxing icon in St. Paul from the early 1950's, turning professional in 1955, winning the Minnesota State welterweight title in 1961, fighting 41 professional fights before ending his career in 1962. He continued to contribute to the local boxing world as a referee and coach, later mentoring young people in White Bear Lake through the Golden Gloves program, establishing five different gyms over the years from 1977-2013. He received various recognitions for his contributions including induction into the Mancini Hall of Fame in 1991 and Outstanding Achievement Award from the St. Paul Golden Gloves in 2021.

He was a proud retired member of the Iron Workers Union Local 512. He contributed to the construction of many local bridges and buildings, including many of the skyscrapers of downtown Minneapolis. He was especially proud of his work on the IDS Tower. One of his tasks while building the tower was to install the windows and exterior facade from the scaffolding hanging on the exterior of the 50-story building. 

Don will be remembered for his kindness, generosity, loyalty and fun-loving spirit. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him and loved him.

The family extends a special thank you to the staff of Prelude Memory Care Center in Woodbury for their compassionate care.

Visitation 4:00 - 7:00 PM Monday, August 18 at Mueller-Bies Funeral Home (Roseville), 2130 N. Dale St. at County Rd. B.

Visitation 9:00 - 10:00 AM Tuesday, August 19 at King of Kings Lutheran Church, 1583 Radio Dr., Woodbury followed by a funeral service at 10:00 AM. Luncheon will follow.

Interment Ft. Snelling National Cemetery

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Alzheimer's Association or King of Kings Lutheran Church.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~