Travis McDonnell

WALL - Travis McDonnell, 38, Wall, died Sunday, April 24, 2011, as the result of an accident at his home north of Wall.

Travis Santana McDonnell was born Nov. 22, 1972, in Rapid City, the son of Steven and Terry Jo (Johnston) McDonnell. He grew up on the farm north of Quinn where he attended the Wall School. He loved the role of big brother and working on the farm with his father and family. He attended high school in Wall, where he excelled in three sports - track, football and basketball, where he was all state in all three. In 1991, he earned runner-up in the South Dakota Mr. Basketball. After graduating from Wall High School in 1991, he attended Black Hills State on a football scholarship. It was there where he met the love of his life, Mandi Hanson. After graduating from Black Hills State, he returned to his passion of farming.

Travis was united in marriage to Mandi Hanson on June 6, 1997, in Pierre. They made their home north of Wall, where they raised their four children. His children and his family were everything to him, and he always wanted to be there with them and for them. He was their biggest fan and supporter and never missed a chance to play the "tickle game" with his children. Travis was very proud of all his children and their accomplishments. He never hesitated making time to travel to any of their children's events, and genuinely enjoyed anything that had to do with him and their family. Their whole family cherished their many trips to Disneyland and looked forward to returning again.

Travis' love for his family was the only thing that was higher than his love for farming, but many times the family and the farming went hand in hand.

The majority of his free time was spent racing or working on race cars. He started out running go-karts with his two brothers, and progressed to modified, where he was very successful. Travis wanted to be great at everything he did, but his priorities were set as family, farming and racing. No matter what the day brought for Travis, he always wanted to incorporate his family in all of it.

Survivors include his wife, Mandi McDonnell, three sons Allan, Bradan and Rylan McDonnell, and a daughter, Taylor McDonnell, all of Wall; his parents, Steven and Terry Jo

McDonnell of Quinn; two brothers, Brady McDonnell and his wife, Sherri, of Rapid City, and Jay McDonnell of Wall; two sisters, Rhonda McLaughin of Wall, and Coral McDonnell of Denmark; his father and mother-in-law. Roger and Vicki Hanson of Pierre; his paternal grandfather, Vern McDonnell of Philip; his maternal grandmother, Midge Johnston of Rapid City; his great-uncle, Tom McDonnell of Philip; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Travis was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Beulah McDonnell; his maternal grandfather, Lane Johnston; and a cousin, Christopher "Bubba" Smoot.

Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., with 7 p.m. prayer services Thursday, April 28, at the Wall High School.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 2 p.m. Friday, April 29, at the Wall High School with Father Leo Hausmann as celebrant. Interment will be at the Wall Cemetery.

A memorial has been established for his children.

Arrangements are with the Rush Funeral Chapel of Wall.

His online guestbook is available at www.rushfuneralhome.com.