March 23, 1947 - June 28, 2024
Don was born in 1947 in Eureka, South Dakota to Ervin and Florence Mehlhaff. He passed away at home at the age of 77. In 1960, his family moved to Lodi, where he started attending Needham Elementary School. He went on to graduate from Lodi High School in 1965. He was drafted into the Army in 1966 where he was stationed in South Korea as a Clerk Typist in a MASH unit and honorably discharged in 1968. He continued his education at Barber College and briefly worked in his Uncle Bill Fischer’s barber shop.
Don married Nancy Clarkson in November of 1970 and began working at Gemco in Stockton. Son, Ryan, was born in 1975 and daughter Lori, completed their family in 1976. He later transferred to Lucky’s Grocery Store in Lodi where he worked for 35 years until his retirement in 2003.
He loved Sharing his love of camping with his family at his favorite places, Bodega Bay and fallen leaf. He loved being outdoors, hiking, fishing, kayaking, biking, and gardening. He prided himself at being a perfectionist in every way. He was very patriotic and extremely proud of his family.
After Don’s retirement, he joined Tree Lodi in 2010 as a volunteer with Nancy and mother-in-law, Joyce Harmon. Don and Nancy recently celebrated their 53rd anniversary.
Don is survived by his wife, Nancy, son, Ryan (Jenny), daughter, Lori Satterfield (Doug), Grandchildren,Kaitlyn, Ryan and Reid Satterfield. He is also survived by his three brothers, Duane (Debby), Charlie (Wayna), and Brian (Jackie), along with numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, aunts, and uncles. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Joyce Harmon, brother-in-law, Thomas (Jill) Clarkson and sister-in-law, Barbara Valente. Don was predeceased by his parents, two father-in-laws, two uncles, two aunts, and one brother-in-law.
In place of flowers, donations would be greatly appreciated at PALS HAVEN and Hospice of San Joaquin.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00pm on Saturday, September 7th, 2024 at the Vineyard Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park, located at 14165 N. Beckman Rd, Lodi, CA 95240.
Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Mehlhaff family.
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