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Donald Schaack Oct 12 1927 - Aug 04 2010
Funeral services for Donald “Don” Schaack, age 82, of Watertown, SD, will be at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 7, 2010, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Watertown. Rev. Jason Schulz will officiate. Music will be provided by Bev Ewy as organist with congregational singing. Don passed away on Wednesday, August 4, 2010 at a care center in Watertown. Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Watertown. Pallbearers will be: Rob Schaack, Brad Schaack, Alex Schaack, Gary Schaack, Roger Schwandt, and Terry Chapin. Visitation will be at the Crawford Funeral Chapel in Watertown on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. and in the church on Saturday prior to services. The family is requested to meet at the church on Saturday by 2:30 p.m. for a prayer service. Memorials may be directed to Great Plains Lutheran High School and Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Don was born on October 12, 1927, in Watertown, SD to Paul P. and Jennie (McPeek) Schaack. He attended McKinley Grade School, Junior High, and Watertown High School, graduating in 1945. Don worked at Watertown Public Opinion until he entered the Army in February of 1946. He was discharged in 1947 and returned to Watertown, working at Rozum Body Shop, Watertown City Airport, and Watertown Street Department, until retiring in 1989. On April 4, 1955, Don married Esther Hajenga at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Milbank, SD. Don’s love in the Lord was shown in his devotion to Esther, his sons, daughter-in-law, and grandsons. He was a dedicated Watertown city employee for over 36 years, ensuring that the streets were clean and safe for travel. His passion was for his family and for his church. He was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Don was a former member of Dakota Sportsman and Pheasants’ Forever. He enjoyed playing baseball during the late 40’s and 50’s, playing for Langenfeld’s and South Shore Wally’s Locker. Don also played softball for Happy Bill’s Bar, Coplan’s, Reaney’s, and Sharps. More recently, his daily joy was getting together with the guys for morning coffee at Stockman’s and the Wheel Inn. Fishing, hunting, ranching, and Pinochle were additional favorite activities. Don is survived by his wife, Esther, of Watertown; two sons: Dave (Valerie Thesing) Schaack, of Milbank, SD and Tom (Peggy) Schaack, of Vermillion, SD; three grandsons; one brother, Richard (June) Schaack, of South Shore, SD; and three sisters-in-law, Adeline Schaack of Watertown, SD, Karon Schaack of Pierre, SD, and Doris Enquist of Milbank, SD. He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters: Caroline Kant, Darlene Letze, and Lorraine Acker; and two brothers: Clifford and Kenneth.

Donald Schaack
Oct 12 1927 - Aug 04 2010

Funeral services for Donald “Don” Schaack, age 82, of Watertown, SD, will be at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 7, 2010, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Watertown. Rev. Jason Schulz will officiate. Music will be provided by Bev Ewy as organist with congregational singing. Don passed away on Wednesday, August 4, 2010 at a care center in Watertown.

Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Watertown. Pallbearers will be: Rob Schaack, Brad Schaack, Alex Schaack, Gary Schaack, Roger Schwandt, and Terry Chapin.

Visitation will be at the Crawford Funeral Chapel in Watertown on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. and in the church on Saturday prior to services. The family is requested to meet at the church on Saturday by 2:30 p.m. for a prayer service.

Memorials may be directed to Great Plains Lutheran High School and Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

Don was born on October 12, 1927, in Watertown, SD to Paul P. and Jennie (McPeek) Schaack. He attended McKinley Grade School, Junior High, and Watertown High School, graduating in 1945. Don worked at Watertown Public Opinion until he entered the Army in February of 1946. He was discharged in 1947 and returned to Watertown, working at Rozum Body Shop, Watertown City Airport, and Watertown Street Department, until retiring in 1989.

On April 4, 1955, Don married Esther Hajenga at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Milbank, SD. Don’s love in the Lord was shown in his devotion to Esther, his sons, daughter-in-law, and grandsons. He was a dedicated Watertown city employee for over 36 years, ensuring that the streets were clean and safe for travel. His passion was for his family and for his church.

He was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Don was a former member of Dakota Sportsman and Pheasants’ Forever. He enjoyed playing baseball during the late 40’s and 50’s, playing for Langenfeld’s and South Shore Wally’s Locker. Don also played softball for Happy Bill’s Bar, Coplan’s, Reaney’s, and Sharps. More recently, his daily joy was getting together with the guys for morning coffee at Stockman’s and the Wheel Inn. Fishing, hunting, ranching, and Pinochle were additional favorite activities.

Don is survived by his wife, Esther, of Watertown; two sons: Dave (Valerie Thesing) Schaack, of Milbank, SD and Tom (Peggy) Schaack, of Vermillion, SD; three grandsons; one brother, Richard (June) Schaack, of South Shore, SD; and three sisters-in-law, Adeline Schaack of Watertown, SD, Karon Schaack of Pierre, SD, and Doris Enquist of Milbank, SD.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters: Caroline Kant, Darlene Letze, and Lorraine Acker; and two brothers: Clifford and Kenneth.

Guest book

Comment posted by: Doug Schulz
Mon 09th Aug 2010 07:02 pm

Dave, my condolences to you and the rest of your family and the loss of your Dad. It was interesting to read that he played baseball and was a fine fielding first baseman. I'm sure one day you'll be able to play catch with him again. Take care and God Bless.

Doug

Comment posted by: Barb Lampy Hillestad
Sat 07th Aug 2010 09:20 am

We have held Don in our prayers during these past weeks. Of course, his passing being so close to brother Ken's in time, has brought their memories so close to us. They really resembled each other, didn't they. We are thinking of you today as you gather to pay your final respects to Don. Our thoughts and prayers are with you now and the days to come. May your family and memories be your supports as you honor his memory.
Sincerely,
Barb and Monte Hillestad

Comment posted by: Bob and De Vee Dykstra
Sat 07th Aug 2010 07:53 am

Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Take care, Bob and De Vee Dykstra

Comment posted by: Dale Waba
Sat 07th Aug 2010 06:20 am

Sorry to learn about Don's passing. I have not seen him in many years but I will always remember him as one of the finest fielding first basemans that played the game when we were together with the Langenfeld ball team. Always happy and always had something pleasant to say to others.
Our prayers go out to the family....

Dale Waba
Madison, S.D.

Comment posted by: Kelly and Kristi Brown Clinic Oncoloy
Fri 06th Aug 2010 07:13 am

Esther,We are so sorry to hear of Don's passing. We enjoyed spending time with you both so much. You were a perfect example of what true love is. We will greatly miss Don. He was a very special man. Our sympathy to you and your family.

Comment posted by: Kristi Bruning
Thu 05th Aug 2010 06:51 am

Thinking of your family at this time. May memories comfort you. God Bless, the Bruning Family (Tom's former co-worker)

Comment posted by: Ann Schaack
Wed 04th Aug 2010 08:57 pm

We are very sad to hear about Uncle Don. Please know that our thoughts are with you during this difficult time.

Comment posted by: Jamis and Crystal Jurgens
Wed 04th Aug 2010 02:35 pm

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family during this sad time. God Bless~ With love, The Jurgens (~neighbors~)

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