Donald Martin Salvesen

Don was born in Brooklyn, NY on June 23, 1943 to Doris & Martin Salvesen. At an early age, he moved to Floral Park, Long Island. At age 6, he moved to Succasunna, New Jersey, where he was a charter member of Hillside Lutheran Brethren Church. Don attended Hillcrest Lutheran Academy in Fergus Falls, MN for his last 3 years of high school where he met Barbara Olsen, who would be his bride for 51 years. They married on June 6, 1964 at Ebenezer Lutheran Brethren Church in Minneapolis, MN. They resided in Succasunna, NJ where they had their 4 children. Don was in business with his father, Martin Salvesen, in New York City until moving to Cape Coral, FL in 1978. Don was the co-owner of Viking Construction in Cape Coral, FL with his brother-in-law, Mark Soholt. He was a charter member of Living Faith Lutheran Brethren Church in Cape Coral, FL. He also attended McGregor Baptist Church in Fort Myers, FL.

Don was a man with an unshakeable faith. He was so kind, loving, and generous. He taught us how to pray, worship, be a great friend, be honest, work hard, and cherish the ones we love the most. Growing up, he would constantly remind us to be kind to everyone because you never know what that person is going through. He left us with the reminder to “Be ready!” Be ready for eternal life in heaven with Jesus. He would always remind us to keep our hearts right with God, and to just believe… “It’s just that easy- Believe.”

He is preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Doris (Hansen) Salvesen, and his brother Kenneth Salvesen.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara (Olsen) Salvesen, of Fort Myers, FL.

His son, Richard (Lisa) Salvesen, and his 3 daughters: Kimberly (Kevin) Berge, of Farmington, MN, Kari (Thomas) Brown, of Fort Myers, FL, and Kristina (Bryan) Dollar, of Cape Coral, FL.

His 13 Grandchildren: Brandon, Brady, Taylor, and Brooke Berge; Brett, Holly, Eric, and Ingrid Salvesen; Dakota (Ram) Means, and Bentley Brown; and Cameron and Reagan Dollar.

Sister Janet (Mark) Soholt, of Cape Coral, FL, and Karen Johnson of Otto, North Carolina.

Family and friends will honor Don's life at Living Faith Church, 939 SW 7th Ct., Cape Coral, Florida 33991 on Wednesday, August 5, 2015 with a Visitation from 4-5 PM and Funeral Service beginning at 5 PM.