Donald Arlan Ostrem was born July 29, 1944 to Arlan and LeRena (Johnson) Ostrem.  He died Thursday, April 30, 2020 at the age of 75 years, 9 months and 1 day.  Due to the COVID-19 related gathering restrictions, Don's family will have a private burial now and will host a celebration of life service at a later date to properly celebrate his life with his family and friends.

Donald came into the world in an interesting way.  The doctor was on his way home to Wakonda from the hospital in Yankton.  While driving past the Ostrem farm, he saw a light on and decided to stop in and check on LeRena.  While there, he asked to sleep on their couch until he was needed.  He was awakened in time to deliver 10 lb. Donald.

Don attended school at Oakdale School in rural Wakonda until around 9 years old when his family moved NW of Beresford where he attended Brooklyn school.  He later graduated from Centerville High School where he enjoyed chorus, basketball, FFA, passing time cruising on Broadway, and was a member of the Homecoming royalty.  After graduating from CHS, he joined the Air National Guard and headed to Texas for basic training.  He returned home, and while waiting for spring planting to begin, Don completed classes at Nettleton Business School in Sioux Falls to become a more efficient businessman.  Farming was in Don's blood, even as a child in grade school, he farmed a small plot on his parent's farm and by high school, he was renting his own land.

Don enjoyed driving cars, tractors and trucks.  He especially enjoyed working with dirt, or "playing in the dirt" he would say.  He was ok with hogs and cattle but his passion was working the land. He farmed first with his father then his father and brother.  He met Elaine Eidem at his cousin's wedding and they were married May 25, 1968.  Their daughter, Kari was born March 15, 1975.

Don was an active member of Scandia Lutheran Church in Centerville.  After high school, he was a member of the church choir and was usually on church council as Deacon, trustee or church president.  He was also a Luther League advisor and for a short time, led singing for the upper Sunday school grades.

He enjoyed kids, young and old, and was thrilled to spend time with his grandchildren. Another joy was in visiting with friends, folks he had known for years and some he had just met.  He was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2001.  He was certain that he could beat the disease and was given several extra years of good life through medications, therapy, and his walker and scooter.  Unfortunately, Parkinson's took his strong voice and strong and sure steps, but it could never take his love of his country, his love of people and his love for his God.

Donald is survived by Elaine, his wife of 51 years and 11 months; his daughter, Kari Ostrem and her fiancé, Carl Drews, of Centerville, SD; grandchildren, Catherine, Christine and Michael; brother, Terry (Janis) Ostrem, Beresford, SD; sister, Lynda (Curtis) Olson, Sioux Falls, SD; and nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of beloved friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Arlan and LeRena.