Don's funeral will be live streamed on the churches facebook page at United in Faith Parish UMC

The family is requesting that masks be worn during the services.

Donald Robert Young was born on a homestead north of Herrick, SD, on April 28, 1933, to Truman and Caroline (Haisch) Young.  Don died on March 29, 2021, at Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD, at the age of 87 years.

He grew up on a farm north of Herrick and was the oldest of three children including brother Darrell and sister Margaret Ann.  Don quit school early to help on the home place and work on the Sutton ranch.  Don was drafted into the US Army in 1953, where he served two years and spent time in Germany after the Korean War.  He returned home and worked for his Uncle Curley on the Mulehead Ranch which later led to a job in road construction.

Don married the love of his life, Kathryn Jons, on June 10, 1961.  He was a wonderful dad to his three children, Jeff, Julie, and Donna.  Don was always busy and hardworking.  He was a Moorman Feed salesman for many years.  He built the Whetstone Station which he ran for many years with the help of his family.  He was also a dedicated milk truck driver for Gary Olberding Trucking, picking up milk for the many dairy farmers in the area up until the time of his retirement.

Don was a long-time member of the Herrick United Methodist Church.  His love for his country continued as he was an active Paid Up For Life member of both the American Legion and VFW.  In 1998, he was elected State Commander of the South Dakota American Legion.  His involvement in these veterans' organizations showed his passion for helping veterans.  If he wasn't busy traveling throughout the states to help other posts, he was helping with baseball tournaments, the Burke Stampede Rodeo, the Herrick Stag parties, and flipping pancakes on Sunday mornings at the Herrick Legion.

Don also had a love for his community and especially took much pride in the small town of Herrick. He was actively involved in making improvements to the town, whether mowing, planting trees, making signs, or keeping up the roads.  He was a coach for the Herrick Mustangs girls softball team for many years and served as the mayor of Herrick and on the town council.  After his retirement, Don and Kathryn did mowing around the community.  They did this until last summer but continued to take care of mowing the entry into Herrick as well as the Methodist church property.

Don loved anything outdoors but especially camping, fishing, hunting, and gardening. At one time he was involved in ranching where he raised stock cattle and quarter horses. Don always had a story to tell and could talk your leg off.  His favorite topics were his service to his country, his family, his work, and the town of Herrick. He took great pride in these things but had a special love for his country and those who served. Don leaves behind a wonderful legacy of service to others.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Truman and Caroline Young, and a half sister Georgee Reinseth.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Kathryn of Herrick, SD, his son Jeff (Jody) Young, Burke, SD, daughter, Julie (John) Nelson of Herrick, SD, and Donna (Greg) Portiner of Cozad, NE,  nine grandchildren: Chelsey (Lee) Richert of Overland Park, KS; Lucas Young of Burke, SD; Jessica (Lucas) Lemmert of Sidney, NE; Jennifer Nelson, Gothenberg, NE; Jill (Zane) Cheek, Palmer AK; Janell (Jake) Ritz, Kearney, NE;  Megan Portiner, Gothenberg, NE; Joshua Portiner, Vermillion, SD; and Seth Portiner of Cozad, NE; as well as 10 great-grandchildren:  Norah and Ivy Richert, Mason Young, Jackson Nelson, Percilla, Aurora, and Charlotte Cheek, Ethan, Kennedy, and Cooper Ritz; his brother, Darrell (Mary Lou) Young of Centerville, OH and his sister, Margaret Ann (Richard) Bailey of Burke, SD.

Funeral services for Donald Young, age 87, of Herrick, SD will be held on Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 10:30 AM at the United Methodist Church in Burke, SD.  Burial will be in the Herrick Cemetery, Herrick, SD.  There will be a visitation on Monday from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM, with family present, at the church.