Obituary: Donald "Don" Hoyt

Donald “Don” Hoyt, 69, of Duluth passed away April 16, 2023, at St. Luke’s in Duluth. He was born in Superior Township to Leo and Emma (Beeman) Hoyt on March 7, 1954. He grew up in a rural setting with his four brothers and four sisters. He attended Northwestern High School and graduated Class of 1972.

He began his military career at age 17, enlisting in the National Guard in 1971. He attended basic training and became a wireman. Shortly thereafter, he went on active duty with the U.S. Army, serving in multiple roles including teletype operator and instructor, until his honorable discharge in 1989.

In March of 1984, he met Mary, and they were married on July 20, 1985.

With his many interests, Don enjoyed many careers, including carpentry, work at the food shelf, bus driver, truck driver, convenience store supervisor, cleaning crew supervisor, and stay-at-home dad.

He enjoyed the outdoors by camping, fishing and participating in fur trade re-enactments. He was also very artistic and creative and spent a lot of time painting, drawing, carving and building things.

He is survived by his wife, Mary; children, Beckie (Jerome) and Theresa (James); former wife, Sherilyn Rodriguez, and their children, Michael (Heather), Donald “DJ” (Erica) and Nathaniel (Nikkii); 13 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; two brothers, Kevin and Leo; sister Midge Brown (Mike); as well as many sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, three sisters and one grandson.

Visitation: 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. funeral service Thursday, April 20 at Atkins Northland Funeral Home. At Don’s request, dress comfortably. Lunch will follow in the fireside room of the funeral home. Burial will be in the Minnesota Veterans Cemetery in Saginaw, following the lunch. Arrangements entrusted to Atkins Northland Funeral Home in Cloquet. To sign the guestbook and leave an online tribute, see http://www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com.