Donald Jerome Amiotte obituary
Donald (Don) Jerome Amiot was born May 6, 1941 in Crookston, Minnesota to Ted and Dora Amiot. He died on November 27, 2023, in a car accident near Lincoln, Nebraska, while traveling from his home in Stillwater, Minnesota to Gold Canyon, Arizona.
Don was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Gentilly, Minnesota. Don He graduated from Crookston Central High School in 1959. He was a member of his football team and track team.
Don earned his bachelor’s degree from Mayville State University and his master’s degree from South Dakota State University. While attending Mayville State University, he played on several championship football teams and served as president of the Newman Club and Young Democrats.
Don coached and coached at Dickinson Central High School, Valley City State University, and was the head football and track and field coach at Mayville State University in North Dakota. In the 1970s, he was the head coach of cross country and track and field at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens and the Point School. After that, he served as the athletic department director and was appointed athletic director in 1983.
After 17 years at UWSP, Don was named Director of Men’s Athletics at Mankato State University. He was then appointed athletic director for both the men’s and women’s athletics departments until his retirement.
Don is a member of the Hall of Fame as a coach and administrator at Crookston High School, Mayville State University (football team), UW-Stevens Point, and as an administrator at Minnesota State University-Mankato.
At UWSP, Don won several indoor and outdoor track and field championships. As director of athletics, he revitalized men’s hockey. At Mankato State, he successfully moved the hockey program from DIII to DI status and was instrumental in Mankato State’s development as a member of the WCHA. Don provided leadership in the development of numerous improvements to the Taylor Center, the Mankato Civic Center, and the All-Season Arena. Don served as Chairman of the NCAA DII Football Committee and a member of the NCAA DII Championship Committee.
In 1966, Don married Sharilyn Younger of Brookings, South Dakota, and they had a son, Carson David Amiot, in 1970. In 1977, Don and Carson married Josephine Thielen (Nepple) and her three sons, John, Edward, and Philip Knepple in Wausau, Wisconsin.
Don is survived by his wife of 46 years, Josephine, son Carson (Ursula), and daughters Maken and Ainsley. his stepson John (Susan) and children Sean and Faith, Edward (J. Scott Mitchell), Philip (Julia), and his daughter Dora. sister Jean (Ronald) Peterson and four nieces Brenda (Scott) Moore and daughters Christina and Lillian of Grand Forks, North Dakota; Carol (Lauras) Svenson and his daughters Rachel Starmer and Katie (Brendan) Starmer; Annette (Rick) Thompson and daughters Abby Wilder and Emma Wilder; Mary (Mike) Jordahl and sons Austin and Andrew Jacobson;
Don was preceded in death by his parents, Ted and Dora Amiot of Crookston, Minn., and his brother-in-law, Ronald Peterson.
Funeral and memorial service arrangements are pending. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Mayville State University Foundation, the Wisconsin Stevens His Point Foundation, or the Minnesota State University Mankato Foundation.
Send Flowers: When is the deadline for ordering?
Next day delivery
Any day of the week
Please order anytime up to the day before.
Same day delivery
Mon-Fri
Please order by 2pm
Saturday and Sunday
Please order by noon
Delivery in the morning
Tuesday-Saturday
Please order by 3pm
The day before
Saturday and Sunday
Please order by Saturday
Note: These are general guidelines. Some florists may not be able to operate within these schedules. During busy seasons such as Valentine’s Day, Memorial Day, and most holidays, florists may not always be able to keep up with demand. If there are any issues, Tribute will contact you.