Schriver's Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 Fifth Ave. N.W., Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the mortuary, with a liturgical wake service at 7 p.m. Visitation continues one hour before Mass at church on Thursday.
Donald passed away Monday, Dec. 31, 2012, at Golden Living Center in Groton.
Donald C. Artz was born on June 12, 1930, at San Pedro, Calif., to Ralph and Frances (Cain) Artz. He attended Sacred Heart Parochial School and graduated from Aberdeen Central High School in Aberdeen.
Donald furthered his education at Northern State College in Aberdeen and received his bachelor of science degree in English literature from St. John's University in Minnesota, with the intention of teaching at the college level.
Donald served his country in the U.S. Army, where he served as a radio and infantryman during the Korean War. Following his honorable discharge, Don resumed his graduate studies at the University of Minnesota and received his master's degree. He returned to Aberdeen and the family business, Artz Camera Supply.
Donald was united in marriage to Betty M. Swanson at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Aberdeen on July 25, 1959. The couple made Aberdeen their home where, in addition to Don's experience in the photography business, he also participated in managing direct-mail marketing operations, a restaurant and greeting card stores, one of which was the Crown Gallery on Aberdeen's Main Street until his retirement.
During his retirement years, he devoted a great deal of time to his interests in history and historic preservation. Don wrote two books on Aberdeen history and was also researching others.
Surviving Donald are his wife, Betty Artz of Aberdeen; sons: Paul Artz of Boston, Mass., and Steve Artz of New York City, N.Y.; brother, Robert Artz of Fargo, N.D.; sister-in-law, Marjorie Swanson of Aberdeen; nephews: Earl Swanson and Eric Swanson of Aberdeen; Dave (Lisa) Artz of North Dakota, David (Janis) Bailey of Oklahoma, Jim (Shelly) Bailey of Pennsylvania and Tom (Cathy) Bailey of Missouri; nieces: Kathy Longen of Arizona, Barb (Vernon) Kroshus of Minnesota, Mary (Gary) Kruger of Missouri and Margaret (Mark) Cardwell of New York; and nine great-nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Bernadine Bailey; brother-in-law, Fred Swanson; and sister-in-law, Marcella Artz.
Memorials are preferred to either Sacred Heart Catholic Church or The Roncalli Foundation in Aberdeen.
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