Donald Hamlin

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Donald H. Hamlin, 71, of Highmore, passed away Thursday, April 6, 2017 at Avera St. Mary's Hospital in Pierre.

Funeral service was held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, April 10, 2017 at Luze Funeral Home, Highmore with Pastor Sheena Thomson officiating. Burial with military honors followed at the Highmore Cemetery.

Don was born August 22, 1945, to Gordan and Elzora (Olson) Hamlin in Holabird, South Dakota. He grew up by Holabird with seven brothers and sisters on the family farm and ranch. He attended the Holabird school and then finished his education at the Highmore High School. On December 2, 1963, he joined the Air Force and was stationed at McCord Air Force Base in Washington.

He met Kathi Johnson in November of 1964, making her his wife on February 20, 1965. Their first child, Donita Kay, was born in September of 1965. Shortly after, Don was sent overseas, serving in Vietnam, the Philippians, and Thailand, then returned home safely after 16 months. Upon his return to the states he was stationed in Springfield, Illinois and there the 2^nd child was born, a son, Donald Lyle, in February of 1968. After his discharge from the service, he returned to the family farm by Holabird, South Dakota where he helped with the day to day of running the family farm and ranch. They then bought a small acreage in Elkton, South Dakota, where he farmed and had hogs, cattle and chickens and he also served as the town’s sheriff.

In 1973, they bought a dairy farm in Glenwood, Minnesota. When asked by the banker if he had ever milked before he said “yes”, he did not volunteer the information that it had only been a few by hand. Don then became the proud owner of a 26 station functioning dairy, building up the farm to include several acres, pigs, and beef cattle. Don, Kathi, and their children remained on the farm until the children were grown and well on their own, at which time they rented the Minnesota farm out and moved back to Holabird to operate his father and mother’s operation until their passing. After that, he purchased several acres of the home place and continued farming and ranching until his passing.

Donald was a talented mechanic, doing most of his own repairs, until the equipment became too complicated. He enjoyed pheasant and deer hunting, visiting with his friends and neighbors, sightseeing with Kathi, but his greatest joy, by far, was spending time with his great grandchildren. He spent hours with them by his side whether it was in the pickup or tractor.

Donald is survived by his daughter, Donita Ratzlaff of Highmore; son, Donald (Ann Lyons) Hamlin of Holabird; grandchildren: Amanda (Michael) Wentlandt, Elizabeth (Trenton) Bleeker, Christopher (KayTee) Bleeker, Benjamin Bleeker, Drake (Michelle) Hamlin, Raymond (Lori) Lyons, Sylvia (Andrew) Pelletier, and Addie (Gregory) Lyons-Lamothe; great grandchildren: Kaydence, Jocelynn, and Holden Wentlandt, Christian Pelletier, Haley Ruppert, and KayLee Hamlin; three brothers: Bill (Sharon) Hamlin, Bob (Janice) Hamlin, and Jim (Mikey) Hamlin; four sisters: Evelyn Nicholson, Dona (Mike) Newton, Beverly King, Beatrice (Dave) Dvorak; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Kathi; brother-in-law, Don Nickolson; son-in-law, Elroy Ratzlaff; and many nieces and nephews.

Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been with Don's arrangements.