Donald D. Cote, age 69 of Artesian, died Saturday, June 25, 2011 at his home in Artesian. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Wednesday July 6, 2011 at the Will Funeral Chapel with burial in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 PM Tuesday at the Will Funeral Chapel with prayer service beginning at 7:00 PM. Donald Dean Cote was born in Mitchell, S.D. on January 1, 1942 to Lawrence and Loretta (Effling) Cote. He attended school in Artesian and graduated from Artesian High School in 1959. Donnie served in the Navy as an electrician from 1963 to 1967 aboard the USS Constellation. After an honorable discharge, Donnie lived in Long Beach California and worked for General Telephone Co. Donnie married Sandra (Grim) Wilson on June 12, 1976. They had a daughter, Christyn Renee, on March 29, 1977. Donnie also had a step-daughter, Traci Wilson. Upon retiring from GTC in 1992, Donnie moved back to Artesian, SD. Over the years Donnie worked various jobs in the area including PBM Packaging and he spent the last 4 years working as a handy man on the farm of Rod and Jane (Page) Marten. He passed away at his home in Artesian on Saturday, June 25, 2011. Donnie was a member of the Jackson Hall Legion Post #47. Donnie enjoyed hunting, playing pool, and darts. His real loves were playing cards with his family and friends and taking care of his dog, Missy. He is survived by his daughter, Christyn Cote , and grandson, Jordon Cote, his step-daughter, Traci (Wilson) Sanchez, and two step-grandchildren, Gabby and Jack Sanchez, all of Los Alamitos California. He is also survived by two sisters, Jean Nelson of Houston, TX, and Eva Schmit of Mitchell, SD, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, Inez Nelson, Betty Peer, and Rena Barta, and a brother, Dean "Bud" Cote.