Harry Donald Cann died Dec. 30, 2007 at Falls Good Samaritan Center after a short battle with cancer.

He was born to Harry and Lydia Cann on May 11, 1926, in Blackduck, Minn. He graduated from Blackduck High School in June 1944.

Don joined the United States Navy in April 1944 and left for Farragut Idaho Naval Training Center June 6, 1944. He was a gunner in Torpedo Squadron 97. He was honorably discharged from the Navy July 8, 1946.

He attended Concordia College in Moorhead and then Bemidji State Teacher’s College.

He married Virginia Hoberg at First Presbyterian Church, Bemidji, on June 21, 1958. He lived in Grand Forks, N.D. until 1964, when he moved with his young family to International Falls. He worked at and then purchased the Gamble’s Store. He later was employed at The Daily Journal, Sheridan Motors, Totem Pole Sporting Goods and Mark’s Marine.

Don was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and served on the Church Council. He was an active member of the Border Shrine Club and served a term as president. He loved driving the canoes in the parades and working at the Shrine Circus. Don was a member of the Elk’s and the Masonic Order. He belonged to the Philosopher’s Club, Falls Country Club, Duplicate Bridge Club, Couple’s Bridge Club and The Gourmet Club. 

Don loved spending time at their Reef Point cabin on Rainy Lake. The family built the cabin in the early 1970s with the help of their friends. He would spend many wonderful summers swimming, going for pontoon boat rides, taking hot tubs with his grandchildren, playing cards, sitting around the campfire and sharing many wonderful meals. He went hunting every fall with a very close group of family and friends in Bemidji. When he did not want to brave long hours in the cold, he became the “camp cook” and social director. Don loved to shop at Super One and was there almost daily, like the bread man. He loved to dance, cook and entertain.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father; his mother and father-in-law, Inga and Harvey Hoberg; granddaughter, Emmy Jo Cann; and special aunt, Alma Peterson. 

He is survived by his wife of almost 50 years, Virginia Cann; his children, Nancy (Doug) Anderson, John (Stacey) and Tom (Tracy); his grandchildren, Betsy, Sarah, Katie and Becca Anderson, Eric and Joshua Cann and Tyler, Tanner and Tessa Cann, all of the Falls; his sister, Eva Mae (John) Regnier of Stevens Point, Wis.; brother, Doug (Lois) Cann of Bemidji; and brothers-in-law, Justin Hoberg of Bemidji and Keith (Elaine) Hoberg of Tyler, Texas. 

A memorial service will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 4, 2008 at Zion Lutheran Church, International Falls, with Pastor Stephen Olson officiating.

A luncheon will be served after the service at the Holiday Inn.

A private family burial at Forest Hill Cemetery will be conducted at 3 p.m. Friday.

Memorials would be preferred to Zion Lutheran Church or the Rainy River Community College Foundation – Emmy Jo Cann Scholarship.