Donald R. Masteller

STURGIS - Don was born Dec. 27, 1927, to Elmer G. and Bessie L. (Prentice) at their home north of Draper. He attended school in Draper, riding horseback to school every day with his three brothers. He enlisted into the U.S. Navy in March of 1946 and served with the Seabees, spending most of his time on the island of

Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands. He returned to his home in November 1947 and began his life in farming.

On May 17, 1948, he married Ruth DuVall and for those who said it wouldn't last, they made it one month short of being together for 63 years. They lived on a farm northeast of Draper until March 1960 when they moved to Rapid City, where he later bought a moving company, Roush Moving & Storage Co.

Sickness forced him to sell the company in February 1979 and they retired to a small farm near Hermosa where they lived for 11 years. From there they moved to Arizona where they made their home for the next 17 years, then finally moving back to South Dakota where they lived in Sturgis near the Fort Meade Health facilities where he received excellent health care. This is where he died April 17, 2011, with his wife and granddaughter, Gena present.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and two children.

He leaves to mourn his wife; four children, Connie Waddell (Renee), Randall (Butch) Masteller (Bonnie), Karen Dunn (David), and Kurt Masteller (Lisa); nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; plus one very special friend of the family, Linda Bluel; numerous nieces and nephews; and a great many friends.

He was cremated and graveside services will be at a later date at the Draper Cemetery.

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