Donald F. Garvis, age 83 of Ethan, SD passed away Friday, December 7, 2018 at his home under the care of his family and home hospice. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 AM Wednesday, December 12, 2018 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with burial at Holy Trinity Catholic Cemetery in Ethan, SD. Visitation will be from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Will Funeral Chapel with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 PM.

Don Garvis, son of Homer and Helen (Degen) Garvis, was born June 26, 1935 in rural Hanson County, SD. He grew up on a farm and graduated from Ethan High School in 1953. Don entered the US Army on April 13, 1954 and was honorably discharged on March 29, 1956. He returned to the Ethan area where he continued to farm.

Don was united in marriage with Janette Steichen on June 10, 1958 in Mitchell, SD. He continued to farm his entire life and was also employed at Ross Laboratories in Mitchell until it closed. Don then became a rural mail carrier until retiring from the US Postal Service at the age of 68.

Don loved everything about the farm and enjoyed having horses and cattle. He had a huge garden and enjoyed sharing the fruits of his gardening labors.

He enjoyed farming, horses, the Minnesota Vikings, the Minnesota Twins, hunting, card games, gardening, visiting with friends, family and total strangers. Don enjoyed traveling to visit family and attending his grandchildren's activities. Don and Janette loved to travel and had the opportunity to see many amazing places. He also absolutely enjoyed negotiating "the best deal".

Don was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Mitchell and a former member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Ethan, SD. He was very involved in the local American Legion and organizing blood drives for United Blood Services for the last twenty years. Don was very active in the community serving on numerous boards and committees

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Janette Garvis, Mitchell, SD; six children, Dawn (Joe) Dewitt, Sioux City, IA, Kathy (Mark) Haider, Sioux Falls, SD, Greg (Stacey) Garvis, Parker, CO, Steven (Suzanna) Garvis, Lyon, France, Mike (Tanya) Garvis, Minneapolis, MN, Doug (Hadiza) Garvis, Aurora, CO; 13 grandchildren, Zach, Travis, Amanda, Blake, Megan, Shea, Olivia, Raphael, Noah, Max, Elena, Caleb and Bella; six great grandchildren, Layne, Logan, Quentin, Jackson, Riley and Kocen; two sisters, Mary (Pat) Shevlin, Columbus, NE and Ruth Daley, Mitchell, SD; and numerous extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Mary Dawn Garvis; his parents; two brother and two sisters.

Immediately following the burial at Holy Trinity Cemetery in Ethan friends and relative are invited to gather with the family at the Ethan Community Center for fellowship and refreshments.