August Donner, 89
August “Gus” Arthur Donner, 89, Estelline, SD, formerly of Watertown, SD, died December 15, 2009 at an Estelline care center.
August “Gus” Arthur Donner, 89, Estelline, SD, formerly of Watertown, SD, died December 15, 2009 at an Estelline care center.
August, better known as “Gus,” was born September 1, 1920 to Arthur and Edith (Griffith) Donner in Belview. He grew up in Alexandria where he attended school. He enlisted in the U.S. Army National Guard and was called up during his senior year to serve in Europe during World War II.
On April 21, 1946 Gus married Dorothy Stoeckel in Miltona. While living in St. Cloud, Gus earned his teaching degree. The couple lived in the following communities while August was a principal and teacher: Orin, ND; Shields, ND (Becker Day School); Kenel, SD; Bullhead, SD; and Sisseton, SD (Old Agency and Enemy Swim).
Gus and Dorothy moved to Watertown in 1990. He was a member of Prairie Lakes Baptist Church. He enjoyed sports, especially the Minnesota Vikings and Minnesota Twins, watching westerns on TV, his grandkids and great-grandkids, reading, playing games and gardening.
Gus was preceded in death by his parents; his stepmother, Ruby Donner; his wife, Dorothy, on December 24, 2006; half-brother, Howard Lusk, three brothers, Marvin Donner, Leroy Donner and James Donner; and his granddaughter, Carie Rudebusch.
Gus is survived by his children, Michael (Dee) Donner of Walker, SD, Richard (Verna) Donner of Sisseton, SD, Lana (Gary) Small of Watertown, SD, Carol (Jerry) McNeal of Forman, ND, and Gloria (Randy) Rudebusch of Watertown, SD; brother, Raymond Donner of Coon Rapids; sister-in-law, Darlene Donner of Denver, CO; 16 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held December 18 at Wight, Comes & Sogn Funeral Chapel in Watertown with the Rev. Deven Edinger officiating. Pam Reeves was organist and Casey Duenwald and Kyle Rudebusch sang. Interment was at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Watertown with military honors conducted by the Codington County Post 17 of the American Legion, and the South Dakota Army National Guard.
Honorary pallbearers were all of Gus’s great-granddaughters, LynnDee Ruth Fenster, Heidi Donner, Amber McNeal, Tracy Neuman, Kristina Small, Misti Hintz, Casey Duenwald and Dawn Redday.
Active pallbearers were Michael Wayne Donner, Mark August Donner, Jeremy Donner, Gary Small Jr., Travis Rudebusch, Wade Rudebusch, Jarid Rudebusch and Kyle Rudebusch.
Arrangements are with Wight, Comes & Sogn Funeral Chapel in Watertown; www.wcsfc.com.
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Tags: august donner, obituaries, donner
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