Share Donald Young's obituary with others.
Invite friends and family to read the obituary and add memories.
Stay updated
We'll notify you when service details or new memories are added.
You're now following this obituary
We'll email you when there are updates.
Please select what you would like included for printing:
Obituary
Donald C. Young was born on September 7, 1930 on a farm between Alcester & Beresford, SD to parents Harold and Margaret (Bachman) Young. In his early childhood years, from 1935 to 1941 the family lived near Flandreau, SD. His family moved back to a farm east of Beresford in 1941. Don attended Gothland School. He continued his education at Beresford High School. After military service, he attended the University of SD where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering in 1965. He graduated with honors to the Phi Eta Sigma Fraternity.
During the Korean War, Don served in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953. He was stationed in Germany. In 1955, he and Dione Westberg (parents Desmond & Iona) were married. They have five children. Four of their five children were born while they lived on the farm 2 miles south of Beresford.
From college, Don was hired by John Deere Co. He worked in Product Engineering; Field Test & Evaluation Division from 1965 to 1980, conducting tests on new tractor designs. During these 15 years, the family lived in Cedar Falls, IA. Youngest daughter, Nancy, was born in Cedar Falls. Their life style expanded to include many pleasant times including vacation trips, square dancing, symphony and the times with their children maturing.
From 1980 to 1993, and until he retired, he managed field test operations in California. He, Dione and their 2 youngest daughters made their home in Lemoore, CA. In Lemoore, Don served 5 years on the City Planning Commission, served leadership positions in the Methodist Church and was active in the Kiwanis Club.
In Nov, 1993, Dione and Don moved back to Beresford. During the years here, he served on the City Council, Economic Development Comm., and the Housing & Redevelopment Comm. He also served as an active member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, the Lions Club, and the American Legion. He served on the Bethesda Board of Directors for 6 years. In later years, he served as an active volunteer in the Senior Citizens and enjoyed calling Bingo at Bethesda Nursing Home.
Preceding Don in death are his parents and one sister, Joyce. Survivors include his wife, Dione; five children – Curt (Linda) Waterloo, IA; Greg (Jessica) Waterloo, IA; Pamela (Tom) Martin, Des Moines, IA; Jennifer Rico, Ankeny, IA; and Nancy Gonzales, Hanford, CA; Six grandchildren – Aimee & Ashley Gonzales; Jordan Rico; Celina Young; Michael Miller and Jeremy (Laura) Young; two great-grandchildren; Lyla and Audrey. Also surviving are two sisters: Dorothy Johnson & Marjorie Hansen; three brothers: George (Lavonne), Robert (Diane) and Larry (Corinne).
Funeral services will be 2PM Tuesday, May 16, 2107 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Beresford. Visitation will be 5-8PM Monday at Wass Funeral Home in Beresford with the family present from 5-7PM and a prayer service at 7PM. Memorials may be directed to Relay for Life of SE SD at 4904 S Technopolis Drive, Sioux Falls, SD 57106, Emmanuel Lutheran Church or the Beresford Senior Center.
To order memorial trees in memory of Donald Young, please visit our tree store.
Services
Donald Young's Guestbook
Visits: 0
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors