The funeral for Donald M. Docter will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 27, 2013, at the First Lutheran Church of Britton. The Rev. Terrill Sorensen will officiate and burial will be in the Britton Cemetery.
Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Friday at the Price Funeral Chapel of Britton.
Don passed away Tuesday, April 23, 2013, at the Marshall County Healthcare Center in Britton at the age of 90.
Donald Michael Docter was born July 28, 1922, on the Docter family farm near Amherst to Herman O. and Marguerite (Michael) Docter. As a youngster, he grew up on the farm and attended school in Amherst, graduating from Amherst High School in 1939. He would work for his father from April through October, and then attend business college in Fargo from November through March for several years.
In July 1942, Donald entered the U.S. Army and served in the 12th Armored Division in Europe during World War II. He was honorably discharged on Jan. 18, 1946. During his tour of duty, Don also served as a bugler and played the same bugle his father had used in World War I.
Following his military duty, Don returned to the Amherst area and purchased the Standard Bulk Dealership from his father, which he operated for the next two years.
On March 15, 1947, Don married Darlene Bodendorfer in Aberdeen. Don managed the Farmers Union Oil Co. in Claremont for a couple of years and then farmed with his father-in-law, Fred Bodendorfer, for two years. They moved to Britton where Don worked for Butler Insurance, Propane and Auto Dealership for several years.
In 1954, the family moved to California. There, Don worked for Papco and Rockwin Prestressed Concrete. They returned to South Dakota in 1963, and Don worked as a bookkeeper and truck driver for Docter Feedlot. Later, Don and Darlene bought a clothing store in Britton and they operated Darlene's Fashion Shop for nine years. During that time, Don also worked as a bookkeeper for several local businesses before retiring.
Darlene passed away on Nov. 16, 1982. Don remained in Britton for a few years, and moved to Las Vegas in 1985. He married Vivian Thompson on April 28, 1985, in Las Vegas. Vivian passed away Feb. 11, 2010. Don continued to live in Las Vegas until returning to Britton on Oct. 23, 2007. He made his home at Spruce Court and became a resident of Wheatcrest Hills on Feb. 13, 2013.
Don was a member of the First Lutheran Church of Britton. He also belonged to the Marshall Post No. 3507 of the VFW of Britton, Cement Lodge No. 103 A.F.&A.M. of Claremont, the Scottish Rite and Yelduz Shrine. He enjoyed photography, playing cards and doing card tricks. He was an avid crossword puzzler.
Grateful for having shared his life are his son, David Docter, and wife, KayLeen, of Lake City; three grandchildren: Misty (Drew) Fredrickson of Britton; Collin (Julie) Docter of Gilbert, Ariz., Justin (Elizabeth) Docter of Gilroy, Calif.; four great-grandchildren: Aidan and Kaegan Fredrickson and Elli and David Docter; and a sister, Margaret Ann Rockwell, of Banning, Calif.
Preceding him in death were his parents; both wives; an infant daughter; his son, Douglas; and a brother, Dalton Docter.
An online guestbook and obituary is available at pricefuneralchapel.net.