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DONALD HENRY BROUSSEAU

Donald Henry Brousseau, age 93, of Alpena died Sunday, May 7, 2017, at Turning Brook, where the staff made his last years truly enjoyable.

Donald was born in Alpena, Mich., on Feb. 10, 1924, to the late Henry Brousseau and Mary (Rouleau) Brousseau. He married Gretchen Sanborn Reynolds on Feb. 23, 1955. She preceded him in death on Feb. 2, 2005.

During Don’s high school years, he helped his father in the construction business. As a matter of fact, Don built the two homes he lived in during his adult life. Don graduated from St. Anne High School on June 15, 1942. He continued to work in his father’s construction business until 1943, when he enlisted in the United States Navy. Don served as an electrician’s mate on a “Jeep” class escort carrier stationed primarily in the Southern and Western Pacific. After his discharge from the Navy, he sailed for the Huron Portland Cement Fleet for a few years. Don then became an employee of the State of Michigan as a staff member at the Alpena Armory. Throughout these years, he was a long-time member of the Michigan National Guard, and was called into action to Detroit in the 1960s during the riots. He retired from the Michigan National Guard as a Master Sergeant. He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Don owned and operated Don’s Gun Shop in Ossineke for many years.

Together, Don and Gretchen enjoyed hunting, fishing, and gardening, along with traveling in their motor home. Don was also a good cook. He enjoyed making sausages and jerky, and his crockpot produced tasty game dinners. And if there was ever a question about wildlife or nature, he had the answer.

Not having children of his own, Gretchen’s family became Don’s family, and he is survived by Clarice Belaire, Gayle Nowak, Mary Stoddard; Don’s sister, Josephine Knoll; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, a handful of great-great-grandchildren, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Mr. Brousseau was preceded in death by Gretchen’s son Dwayne Reynolds, daughter-in-law Marie Reynolds, and sons-in-law Andrew Belaire, Gerald Nowak, Fred Stoddard; five sisters, Aileen Garcia, Eva Tice, Ida Mae Ouelette, Geraldine Dorr, Bernadette (Barney) Higgason; three brothers, James (Jake) Brousseau, Austin (Sarge) Brousseau, and Clarence Brousseau.

The family would like to thank the entire loving and dedicated staff at Turning Brook for the great care they gave Don.

Memorial visitation will take place at the Bannan Funeral Home on Friday from 10 a.m. until the memorial service at 12 p.m. with the Rev. Martha Hartman-Stuart officiating followed by Military Honors accorded him by Alpena V.F.W. Post 2496.

Inurnment: Evergreen Cemetery

Memorials: MidMichigan Medical Center-Alpena Development Fund.