Don Didriksen

Longtime businessman Don Didriksen died Tuesday, April 8, 2008, at the age of 83.

Don was born Dec. 18, 1924, in Great Falls to Paul Didriksen and Elsie Poole Didriksen and was brought home in a rock-heated sleigh.

He grew up in Lincoln, where his dad was postmaster and also operated a small grocery store. Paul died when Don was only 11 years old, leaving Elsie to raise Don and his older brother Bobby. At this time, Elsie became postmaster of Lincoln, holding the position for 46 years.

Don attended three years of high school in Great Falls and his senior year at Helena High School, graduating in the spring of 1942.

In April 1943, he joined the Army. He was a tank retriever with the 528 Ordinance Co. and served in England, France, Germany, Ireland, Belgium and Scotland. He was honorably discharged in December 1945.

In 1946, Don and Ralph Hahn built the Wheel Inn Bar in Lincoln and operated it until 1950. In the fall of '51, Ralph, Don and Don's older brother, Keith, built the Sky-Hi Drive-In theater, which they operated until 1974 upon Keith's death.

It was at the Sky-Hi that Don met his future wife, Betty Schell. They were married in East Helena on April 21, 1958, and would have celebrated their 50th anniversary in a few days. They had three children, Kellie, Paul and Ken.

In 1968, Don and Keith purchased McGaffick Wholesale, which later became Didriksen Oil Co., which Don and Betty operated until 1983. Don's dear friend, Frank Montibeller Sr., worked beside him until Frank's death at the age of 89. By 1976, Didriksen Truck and Car Wash was built, and in '83, Don and Betty started Eastside Storage. In 1986, they built Capital City Carwash, followed by City Carwash in Great Falls and PJ's Carwash in 1994.

In 1986, Don became a member of the board of directors of the Lincoln Telephone Company and felt honored to be able to serve for 21 years.

Don enjoyed stock-car racing and hunting with his friends in earlier years. Later, woodworking and motorcycle trips on their Gold Wings with their dear friends, Clayton and Arlene Sparrow, became a source of enjoyment.

His children all benefited from his many special furniture projects. The restoration of a 1941 Chevy Coupe, a replica of one of his first cars, was the latest highlight of his life. Don's biggest passions were work and family; a close friend summed it up best by saying, "Don was the epitome of a good father."

Don is survived by his wife, Betty, and his three children, Kellie (Jerry Mathews) Didriksen-Goyins, Paul (Susie) and Ken (Joanne). He is also survived by grandchildren, Blair and Tina Goyins; James, Colton, Harley and Jennifer Didriksen; Chris Kerins; Niah and Kylee Pennington. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Keith, Bobby and Loris.

Graveside services will be held at St. Ann's Cemetery at 1 pm. today, April 11. Friends and family are welcome to stop by the family home, 103 W. Gail, East Helena, following the services.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Ann's Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 525, East Helena, MT 59635, or to TVs for Veterans, c/o Veterans Medical Center, Fort Harrison, MT 59636. Service arrangements are under the direction of Retz Funeral Home. To offer condolences or to share a memory of Don, please visit www.mem.com.