Donald Eugene Stuessi was born October 27, 1934 on the family farm in Lincoln County, South Dakota to John and Violet (Kempston) Stuessi. He died June 14, 2023 at Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 88 years, seven months and 17 days.

He attended Silver Lake Country School. When he was nine years old his mother passed and his sister, Mildred, helped to raise he and his younger brother, Dennis. When Mildred left the farm, Ella Pike was hired as housekeeper and helped care for them. While at Beresford High School he met his future wife, Joelle Scroggs. Don and Joelle were  married January 30, 1954.  Their marriage was a 64-year partnership.

They happily raised their four children together and worked their farm together. In addition to farming, Don raised purebred Chester White hogs like his dad had. Don was a South Lincoln Rural Water board member for 30+ years and a long-time member of the Beresford School Board. He enjoyed bowling, golfing, and talking about farming over coffee with friends and neighbors.

Donald is survived by his children, David (Kathy) Stuessi, Linda (Kevin) Walter Olson, Sharon Barr and Carla (Jerry) Zeimetz; his grandchildren, Tracy (Brady) Gaddis, Zach (Krista) Stuessi, Megan Stuessi, Lee (Krista Honomichl) Stuessi, Lexi Stuessi, Joshua Walter, Jeffrey Swenson, Jonathan (Alyssa) Swenson, Samantha (Lanstin) Vietor, Drew Barr, Tyler (Charissa) Zeimetz, Chad (Wendy) Olson, Michele (Brian) Hewitt and Jeremy (Jacki) Olson; great-grandchildren, Emily Corbin, Grady, Bode and Hallie Stuessi, Layton Bolls, Jonathan Swenson, Jayden, Carson, Kroy and Remi Zeimetz, Aiden and Kason Vietor, Kellen and Braley Olson, Shelbi and Kinleigh Lindner, Bay Hewitt and Evan Olson; his brother, Dennis (Nancy) Stuessi; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Violet Stuessi; his wife, Joelle; sister and brother-in-law, Mildred and Francis Espeland; brother-in-law, Ken Scroggs; sister-in-law and her husband, Diane and John Landon and his nephew, James Espeland.

Funeral services will be 11AM Monday, June 19, 2023 at Beresford Zion United Methodist Church with burial to follow at Zion Cemetery, rural Beresford. Visitation will be 9:30-11AM Monday at the church.