Obituary for Donald Kenneth "Don" Fassler
Donald “Don” Fassler, age 87, of Watertown, SD passed away Tuesday, June 4, 2019 in Sioux Falls, SD.
Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m., Monday, June 10, 2019 at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church in Watertown. Reverend John Carter will officiate with Carol Janke as the organist.
Interment will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Watertown. Military Honors will be conducted by Codington County Post 17 of the American Legion and SD Army National Guard Funeral Honors Team of Watertown.
Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m., Sunday, June 9, 2019 at Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel in Watertown.
Pallbearers will be Joel Beutow, Kevin Miller, Jake Beutler, Jason Handky, Ken Neuendorf and Leon Hackbart.
Honorary Pallbearers will be his six grandchildren, Jennifer, Matthew, Jessina, Randy, Jon and Amber; his nine great-grandchildren, Carter, Cameron, Audrina, Matilyn, Vada, William, Brecken, Brayden and Landon; in memory of grandchild, Michael Hallauer; family members, Ashlyn Buelow, James “Noopy” Cram and Bill Krause; and all his wonderful friends and neighbors.
Donald “Don” Kenneth Fassler was born on November 25, 1931 on a farm near Aurelia, Iowa, to Julius and Bertha (Pietz) Fassler. He attended school at Aurelia and in 1942 the family moved to Linn Grove, Iowa, where Don graduated from high school in 1950. Don married Marlene Hale of Peterson, Iowa on October 7, 1953. He entered the United States Army in 1953 and had served in Korea for 15 months. Don served until 1955 when he was honorably discharged. Upon returning home, the couple farmed for two years. Don attended Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, Iowa and graduated in 1960 with a B.A. degree in Business Administration and Economics. Upon graduation he worked for J.C. Penney in Storm Lake until 1966. He then managed the Sears Roebuck Catalog in Storm Lake and then in 1967 Don was transferred to Watertown, South Dakota where he managed the store until the catalog operation closed in 1984. Don was employed by Fleet Wholesale and Country General until he retired in 1995.
Don was a member of St. Martin’s Lutheran Church and former member of the American Legion.
He enjoyed being with his beloved wife, his family, and helping out neighbors and friends. He also enjoyed ice fishing, gardening and yard work.
He was preceded in everlasting life by his parents, Julius and Bertha; his brothers, Herbert, Melvin and Harold; a sister, Gladys; his grandchild, Michael Hallauer; and family members, Ashlyn Buelow, James “Noopy” Cram and Bill Krause.
Survived by his loving wife, Marlene, of 66 years; his children, Donna “Louie” (Dale) Karskey of Custer, SD, Jeannie “Peanuts” (Al) Buelow of Watertown, SD, Linda “Buzz” Owen of Watertown, SD, Jim “Scooter” Fassler of Wayne, NE, Susie “Pudge” (Mike) Riley of Watertown, SD, Dennis “Barney” (Jessie) Fassler of Andover, KS and Wanda “Squish” (Rolla) Roe and Ripley of Piedmont, SD; many nieces and nephews; a host of other relatives; and all his wonderful friends and neighbors.
Arrangements by Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel, www.wightandomes.com.
Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m., Monday, June 10, 2019 at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church in Watertown. Reverend John Carter will officiate with Carol Janke as the organist.
Interment will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Watertown. Military Honors will be conducted by Codington County Post 17 of the American Legion and SD Army National Guard Funeral Honors Team of Watertown.
Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m., Sunday, June 9, 2019 at Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel in Watertown.
Pallbearers will be Joel Beutow, Kevin Miller, Jake Beutler, Jason Handky, Ken Neuendorf and Leon Hackbart.
Honorary Pallbearers will be his six grandchildren, Jennifer, Matthew, Jessina, Randy, Jon and Amber; his nine great-grandchildren, Carter, Cameron, Audrina, Matilyn, Vada, William, Brecken, Brayden and Landon; in memory of grandchild, Michael Hallauer; family members, Ashlyn Buelow, James “Noopy” Cram and Bill Krause; and all his wonderful friends and neighbors.
Donald “Don” Kenneth Fassler was born on November 25, 1931 on a farm near Aurelia, Iowa, to Julius and Bertha (Pietz) Fassler. He attended school at Aurelia and in 1942 the family moved to Linn Grove, Iowa, where Don graduated from high school in 1950. Don married Marlene Hale of Peterson, Iowa on October 7, 1953. He entered the United States Army in 1953 and had served in Korea for 15 months. Don served until 1955 when he was honorably discharged. Upon returning home, the couple farmed for two years. Don attended Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, Iowa and graduated in 1960 with a B.A. degree in Business Administration and Economics. Upon graduation he worked for J.C. Penney in Storm Lake until 1966. He then managed the Sears Roebuck Catalog in Storm Lake and then in 1967 Don was transferred to Watertown, South Dakota where he managed the store until the catalog operation closed in 1984. Don was employed by Fleet Wholesale and Country General until he retired in 1995.
Don was a member of St. Martin’s Lutheran Church and former member of the American Legion.
He enjoyed being with his beloved wife, his family, and helping out neighbors and friends. He also enjoyed ice fishing, gardening and yard work.
He was preceded in everlasting life by his parents, Julius and Bertha; his brothers, Herbert, Melvin and Harold; a sister, Gladys; his grandchild, Michael Hallauer; and family members, Ashlyn Buelow, James “Noopy” Cram and Bill Krause.
Survived by his loving wife, Marlene, of 66 years; his children, Donna “Louie” (Dale) Karskey of Custer, SD, Jeannie “Peanuts” (Al) Buelow of Watertown, SD, Linda “Buzz” Owen of Watertown, SD, Jim “Scooter” Fassler of Wayne, NE, Susie “Pudge” (Mike) Riley of Watertown, SD, Dennis “Barney” (Jessie) Fassler of Andover, KS and Wanda “Squish” (Rolla) Roe and Ripley of Piedmont, SD; many nieces and nephews; a host of other relatives; and all his wonderful friends and neighbors.
Arrangements by Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel, www.wightandomes.com.