Donald Bastemeyer

Donald Ray Bastemeyer, aged 72, passed away on the morning of April 5th, 2024 at the VA Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD after an extended struggle with heart complications. Donald was born in Sioux Falls on May 2, 1951, to Floyd and Elva (Temple) Bastemeyer. He grew up in Sioux Falls and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1970. After graduation, he enlisted in the Army and became a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne, stationed at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. In 1973, he returned to Sioux Falls. In 1974 he began dating Melissa Mutschelknaus, whom he had known since they were five years old. The courtship was fast, as they were married the next spring on March 22, 1975. Don and Melissa made their home in Sioux Falls, where they welcomed their three daughters: Danese, Dawn, and Donna. They then moved from Sioux Falls to rural Lennox and continued living there to this day. Don was employed throughout the years at Raven's and Hutchinson Technology, where he worked his way to production supervisor. Towards the end of his time working, he kept himself busy working the sporting goods department at WalMart. After retiring in 2016, he still kept busy at Casey's in Lennox. He officially retired from working in 2019. Don enjoyed the country life with its open spaces and abundance of hunting land. In his retirement, he spent time sitting on the back deck with his morning coffee and watching the wildlife go by. Donna often tried to tell him that it doesn't count as hunting if you don't need to put shoes on, but Don disputed that fact. He also found happiness in other outdoor activities such as fishing and camping with Melissa and whichever dog they had at the time. Don and Melissa always had at least one Labrador at home. The family has tried to remember the names of them all through the years, but there are too many to recall. The dogs would accompany Don when hunting, camping, or even just working on things around the house. We suspect that he liked the dogs so much because they were more enthusiastic helpers than the three girls. Another highlight in Don's life was his grandchildren, who he doted on in his own way, going along with their crazy requests or making his way through a maze of storage to find the new litter of kittens outside because Kyla insisted on seeing them. The grandchildren also helped with Don and Melissa's large vegetable gardens, while trying to keep the tomatoes and strawberries away from the dogs. Don entered the hospital after the final of several heart attacks on December 20, 2023. He underwent open heart surgery on December 26, which revealed that his condition was more complex than previously thought. He continued to fight through several setbacks and was finally transferred to the VA Hospital for rehab services. Throughout all of this, Don never lost his wily personality or stubborn perseverance. The medical team were often amused by his ability to quickly recover from setbacks and respond to everything with sarcastic humor. Don entered into hospice care on April 4, where medical staff made sure that his last hours were comfortable. Don passed away quietly and peacefully surrounded by his wife, daughters, and grandchildren early in the morning on April 5, 2024. Don was preceded in death by his parents Floyd Bastemeyer and Elva Weeldreyer, step-father Edwin Weeldreyer, and brother Robert Bastemeyer. Don is survived by his loving wife, Melissa; daughters Danese Johannsen, Dawn Bastemeyer-Davis (Lee), and Donna Bastemeyer; grandchildren Kyla (Jake), Dylan, Rylie, Lyllie, Tharen, Braylen, and Stella; and sister Robin Andraesek (Terry DeBoer). Services will begin at 1:00 p.m. Friday, April 12, 2024, at Dindot-Klusmann Funeral Home, Lennox, SD with burial to follow at the Lennox Cemetery. Visitation, with the family present, will be 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, also at Dindot-Klusmann.

Donald Bastemeyer

May 2, 1951 - April 5, 2024

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