Donald Joachim
June 28, 1932 ~ August 9, 2013
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Donald V. Joachim, 81, of the South Dakota Veteran’s Home of Hot Springs and formerly of Agar, passed away Friday, August 9, 2013 at the VA Black Hills Health Care System, Hot Springs.
Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, August 13, 2013 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Onida with Pastor Luke Edwards officiating. Burial followed in the Onida Cemetery. Visitation was held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Monday, August 12, 2013 at the church with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service.
Donald was born June 28, 1932 at a farmhouse southwest of Agar, SD to Alvin and Lillian (Kulhavy) Joachim. He spent his entire life in Agar and graduated from Agar High School in 1950. From 1951-1953 he was in the United States Army, serving during the Korean War.
On April 17, 1955 he was united in marriage to Kathleen Johnson at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Gettysburg. They made their home in Pierre for a short time, where Donald worked for the Reminder. Later they moved to Sully County and returned to the farm.
Donald enjoyed driving bus to activities around the area, and he worked for the Gettysburg, Agar, and Onida school districts throughout the years. He spent a lot of time selling sweet corn, working his roller-skating rinks in Selby and Onida, and calling bingo in Pierre at the DAV. In his free time Donald and Kathleen liked to square dance, and he also enjoyed singing. He sang at numerous funerals, weddings, and other celebrations. He was also very interested in photography and liked to travel.
Donald was an active member of the American Legion, the VFW, the Disabled American Veterans and also the Lutheran Walther League in his younger years.
Those left to cherish Donald’s life are his children: James (Eunice) Joachim of Gardena, CA, Steven (Ann) Joachim of Spearfish, Janet Beck of Henderson, NV, Mark (Barbara) Joachim of Corsica, Sharon (Andrew) Albaugh of Robinson, IL, and Martha (Shaun) Pearson of Sabetha, KS; his grandchildren: Meggan & Drew Joachim, Kevin & Mariah Beck, Angela, Brian, Jacob, & Adam Joachim, Lindell (Lindsey), Cody (Becca) & Kyle Albaugh, and Paul, Naomi, & Lily Pearson; his great granddaughter, Liliana Albaugh; his sister, Shirley (Joe) Fanger of Blunt; and his sister-in-law, Linda Johnson of Gettysburg.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Alvin and Lillian Joachim and his spouse, Kathleen on January 25, 2013.
Memorials are to be directed to Main Street Living, 1400 Duluth Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57105.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Donald’s arrangements.
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Extending sympathy to Martha & the rest of the Joachim Family at this sad time.
I was so sorry to hear of Don’s passing. It was always nice looking forward to that phone call on your birthday and Don on the other end singing you “Happy Birthday” My family will remember his quick wit, beautiful singing voice and his famous smile. When I was a kid he would always stop by for a visit and bring a gallon of ice cream any flavor. Thanks for the memories Don.
Please extend my sincere sympathies of the passing of Don and may all the great memories help you through. Don was a good friend to me and my family over the years.God Bless all of you.
We are sorry to hear of the passing of Don. We will miss seeing them at the Joachim reunions in Eureka. They always came to our place after the reunions.
Clara, James, and Sue Janke
My sympathy to your family. My mom lives at the State Home and I so enjoyed visiting with Donnie when I ran into him. My last conversation with him was on a beautiful day and he was enjoying his ice cream. I will miss him.
Thank you for the very special tribute in photos. Don was special to our family. He and my dad served in the Army in Korea together. The photo of him and the lady at the organ in the gazebo was when he sang at my wedding July 4, 1987. He sang the Lord’s Prayer and what a beautiful job he did. He had a beautiful voice and would break out in song often when we visited Joachims or they visited us. Our heartfelt sympathy to the Joachim family. We will miss him and Kathy.
Kay, Mac & Dana MacLaren