Donald Heidinger age 80 of Mitchell, died Tuesday, October 12, 2010 at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Friday, October 15 at the Will Funeral Chapel with burial at Hillcrest Cemetery in Ethan. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 PM Thursday at the Will Funeral Chapel.

Don was born on August 8, 1930 to Alvinia Heidinger. He made his home with his grandparents Peter and Anna Heidinger. He attended Mitchell Public Schools and in March 1946 entered the Army Air Corp training at Ft. Leavenworth. On October 19, 1947 he married Betty Degen at Holy Family Church in Mitchell. They made their home in Mitchell where he worked for Lindekugals Construction. In 1955 they moved to Rapid City where Don attended floor covering school. In 1960 they returned to Mitchell where Don did floor covering installation until retiring in 2008.

He is survived by his wife Betty and 9 children. His sons: Dan Jo (Ann), Aberdeen, SD; Don Jr., Des Moines, IA; Perry (Rachael), Sioux Falls, SD; Doug (Traci), Mitchell, SD. His daughters: Jeanne (Doug) Keith, Edgerton, MN; Cherron (John) Foster, Mitchell, SD; Becky (Mike) Langford, Sioux Falls, SD; Gaye Heidinger, Mitchell, SD; Pam (Jeff) Huitema, Sioux Falls, SD. 21 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren. 3 sisters: Joan Stopher, Mitchell, SD; Nona Hunter, Oklahoma; Barb Zimmerman, Florida; 2 brothers: Warren, Minnesota and Robert, Oklahoma. Also many nieces and nephews and 3 special family members: Deanne Larson, Jane Pekas Heidinger and Kim Weiden Heidinger.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, 2 infant sons, a son David in 2002 and a sister Dorothy.