Malafa, Don J. age 76 of Coon Rapids went home to be with the Lord on April 23, 2026 at Mercy Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Don was born November 5,1949 in Grand Forks North Dakota. When he was 2 years old the family moved to Keewatin, Minnesota where he became and always claimed to be a “Ranger.” Don graduated from Nashwauk Keewatin high school in 1967. After graduating he earned is business degree from Bemidji State College and began his career at what was then Northern States Power company now Xcel Energy where he was employed for 40 years some of which he was on disability. Don met Sue at NSP and they were married April 30, 1977. Don and Sue loved traveling together and visited all 50 states by the time they celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. In the last few years their traveling was to Duluth. Watching the boats go through the Canal. He followed the shipping schedule and watched the boats come and go home. He enjoyed fishing and hunting in his early childhood and was an avid reader in his adult years. Everyone fought to get him on their team in Trivia Pursuit.

He was a daily Mass attendee a Monday Adorer in the Adoration Chapel that was the way he loved starting his week. He would lead the Rosary when needed at St. Stephen’s. Don ushered at the 8:30 Sunday Mass and was a Stephen’s Minister at church providing support and love to those in need.

Don and Sue volunteered at Mercy Hospital Coon Rapids, University Hospital Care program it supported families that’s children were going through bone marrow transplant. Having no children, but loving child they “adopted” many in the parish. When the children got restless and noisy Don would day Patience that is the future church.

Don is preceded in death by his parents, Dorothy and Stanley Malafa; bother, Dick Malafa; brother-in -law, Tom Marinucci; Sue’s parents, Tom and Margaret Lindquist, sister-in-law, Jane Lindquist.

Survived by Wife, Sue Malafa; sister, Sherri Marinucci; sister-in-law, Linda Malafa; niece, Brandee (John) Trevino; nephews, Eric (Heather) Malafa, Tony (Julie) Marinucci; grand- nieces, Sedona Trevino, Gia and Sophia Marinucci and many cousins and Goddaughter, Rosie Mickelson.

A special thank you to the clergy and staff and parishioners at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church, especially Fr. Tim and Deacon Phil as well as the staff at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids that were so caring.

Services for Don will be held on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, starting with a prayer service at 9:30 AM, visitation from 10 AM – 11 AM followed by the Mass of Chrisian Burial at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church, 525 Jackson St, Anoka, MN 55303. Lunch to follow service, concluded with the burial at Calvary Cemetery, Anoka.

In leu of flowers Memorials to St. Stephens Charity Account Mass at St. Stephen's Catholic Church

The service will be livestreamed at this link: https://watchitlivestream.com/d-malafa

Thurston-DeShaw Funeral Home – Andover, MN – 763-767-7373 – www.thurston-deshaw.com