Donald L. Roe

Donald "Don" LaMont Roe, age 84, of Hazel, SD, was called home by his heavenly Father on Tuesday, May 24, 2016, at a local care center. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 27, 2016, at New Hope Lutheran Church, in rural Hayti, SD. Pastor Randy Eisenbeisz will officiate. Music will be provided by organist, Helen Prouty, and the men's chorus. The family is requested to meet by 1:30 p.m. at the church on Friday for a family prayer service.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 26, 2016, at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown and prior to services at the church on Friday.

Burial will be at New Hope Lutheran Cemetery, in rural Hayti. Military graveside honors will be conducted by Cook-Olsen Post #217 of the American Legion, Hayti. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Watertown Gideons. Active pallbearers will be Don's grandsons.

Don was born on July 10, 1931, in rural Hazel, to John and Lillie (Rund) Roe. He was raised on a farm near Hazel. Don attended school at Thomas High School and graduated from Hazel High School in 1949. He then farmed with his father and did carpentry work until 1952 when he was inducted into the U.S. Marine Corp. He was in the Marines until 1954 when he was honorably discharged. He returned home and farmed until the fall. At that time he went to work for Rund Equipment Co. in Marshall, MN, for the winter. Don married Ruth Kittelson at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, rural Henry, SD on December 1, 1956. In 1958, he began his banking career at Hayti and Hazel banks, which lasted for 35 years. After retiring as bank president, he then worked as a real estate appraiser for eight years.

Don loved teaching his grandchildren how to drive and cutting their hair. He also loved to hunt, being known as a great marksman. His greatest pride was his tree nursery, even building his own tree spade that he used to plant the trees around the Hamlin School. Don had many hobbies including: collecting antique equipment, threshing, woodworking in his shop, camping and making pancakes for his grandchildren. He was a lifetime member of New Hope Lutheran Church, holding various positions throughout his life. He was an active member of Gideons International since 1981.

Don is survived by his wife, Ruth, of Hazel; his children: Julie (Harley) Tetzlaff of Sioux Falls, SD, Joy (Jerry) Robbins of Watertown, Dalen (Kristin) Roe of Ortonville, MN, Jolene (Bob) Spilde of Watertown, and David (Leslee) Roe of Hazel; two brothers: Howard (Audrey) Roe of Manning, IA, and Leland (Gail) Roe of Hazel; his sister, Donna Hogstad, of Sioux Falls; 16 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother-in-law, Leroy Hogstad.

The family requests that any memorials be directed to Gideons International P.O. Box 1472, Watertown, SD, 57201.

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