Rowan "Mac" F. McDonnell Sr.

Rowan "Mac" F. McDonnell Sr.,80, of Lake Vermilion-Cook, formerly of Duluth, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 15, 2015 at the Cook Hospital.

Rowan was born on October, 10, 1934, in Duluth where he grew up. He proudly served in the Army during the Korean War. After his tour of duty he returned to Duluth and was employed with Reserve Mining in Silver Bay. Rowan began his career with State Farm Insurance in 1963, and retired after 32 years as Agency Manager. During that time he was a pilot and owned Duluth Aviation. He had been coming to Lake Vermilion since the 1950's, where he permanently moved after retirement. He married his wife JoAnn on June 15, 1996 in Duluth. He later started the Northwood's Insurance Agency in Cook, serving the northern Minnesota logging and trucking community.

Rowan enjoyed golfing, fishing, and playing cards at his home on beautiful Lake Vermilion. He had served as president of Ridgeview Country Club in Duluth, and was a member of Duluth Rotary and the Kitchi Gami Club. Rowan also served on the board of the Associated Contract Loggers and Truckers and the Lake Vermilion Fire Brigade. He will be greatly missed by family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; John and Angie McDonnell and siblings Terry McDonnell and Patricia Crom.

Rowan is survived by his wife: JoAnn; sister: Kathy (Sonny) Peterson of Duluth; children: Debby (Mike) Strop of Duluth, MN, Mike (Diane) McDonnell of Chicago, IL, Rowan (Toni) McDonnell of Sartell, MN, Michelle (Mat) Popham of Lino Lakes, MN and Amy Vavricka of St. Paul, MN; grandchildren: Greg and Matt Berthiaume, Mike, Steve, Nick, and Lindsey McDonnell, Molly and Rowan III. McDonnell, Luke, Tori, Elli, Lindsay, Bobby and Christian Popham and Lily Vavricka; great grandchildren: Oliver, Ava and Canella Popham; nieces, nephews and many friends.

SERVICES : Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 12:00 noon, Tuesday, (April 21 ^st ) at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Cook, with a visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Fr. Drew Braun will be the celebrant. Military honors will be accorded by the combined honor guards of the Cook VFW Post #1757 and the Orr American Legion Post #480. A reception in Rowan's honor will follow the service in the church social hall. Arrangements are with the Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook. To sign the online guest book or to send a condolence to the family, go to: wwwmlakerfuneralhome.com