Laurence, Donald Frederick Age 90 of Maple Grove, passed away May 16, 2020. He was preceded in death by parents Fredrik Ruben and Mona Evelyn (Williams) Laurence and brother, Richard Stuart Laurence. After graduating from Washburn HS, Don earned a Civil Engineering degree from the University of MN, graduating in 1953. He married Lois Elaine (Cook). He served in the US Army from 1953 - 1955, stationed in Leadville, CO and Greenham Common, England. Don worked as a project engineer for International Multifoods until his retirement in the 1980's. Don used his GI Bill to earn his private pilot's license in the early 1960's and he loved taking kids, neighbors and friends up for a flight on a pleasant Saturday morning. After retiring, he spent 5 years building his own Kit Fox airplane, becoming active with the Experimental Aircraft Association and the Young Eagles Program. His wing dips and low passes were a familiar sight for many years. Many a young pilot took their first flight with him, including his son Tom, and his grandson, Air Force Captain Gordon Spahr. Don started donating blood as an 18 year old U of MN freshman, giving regularly and reaching a lifetime total of 710 units, just short of 89 gallons. The staff at the Memorial Blood Center treated him like 'Norm', from Cheers. He thought the extra ribbons on his name tag at the annual donor/volunteer banquet were nice, but what really made him happy was to think of the people (especially kids) he might have helped live. Don was a lifelong learner. He kept exploring his passions of history (especially WWII), engineering feats, biographies and exceptional dogs. His engineer's mind allowed him to keep an archive of facts, physics equations and maps right in his head. In retirement, he explored over 70 ski resorts in the US and Canada and could name the best slopes and the highways he took to get there. He never lost his desire to be sociable and make friends, as indicated by his steadfast presence and the enjoyment he found with his pals at Starbucks these last years. Shoveling snow and cutting grass were welcome opportunities to stay active and be useful - two important requirements to happiness, according to Don. Until cancer quickly overtook him this spring, he enjoyed walking the trails near his home with a pocket full of Milk Bones for the dogs and peanuts for the squirrels. Don is survived by his daughters Jane (John Wright) Laurence of St. Paul, and Jennifer (John) Spahr of Lafayette CA, and son, Thomas (Cammie) Laurence of Merrifield, MN; his grandsons Cody (Mary DePuydt) Cooper, Gordon Spahr and Owen Spahr and favorite grand daughter Kristin Cooper; his great grandchildren, Freyja and Phil; and his friend and caregiver, Judy Laurence. He was a kind, loving and interested dad, grandpa, great grandpa and friend, who is really going to be missed. At some time, Don will take his place near his brother at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Arrangements will be made for a service at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, through Evans-Nordby, at a later date. Memorials that would have pleased Don can be made to Memorial Blood Center or the Young Eagles program. 'See you later, Don!'