Donald Ross, 87, passed away on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at Edgewood Assisted Living in Mitchell, SD. Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM, Monday January 16, 2023 at Resurrection Lutheran Church; visitation will begin one hour prior.  Burial will be in the Mt. Vernon Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, you may direct any memorials to Resurrection Lutheran Church, 4013 North Main, PO Box 714, Mitchell, SD 57301.

Don was born on March 21, 1935, to Eugene Merton Ross and Verna (Olson) Ross in Davison County, South Dakota. Verna died in December 1936, and on January 10, 1938, Merton married Helen Mews and moved their young family to a farm near Dickens, Iowa. In 1952, Don moved back to Davison County and farmed with his grandpa Gene. He soon met the love of his life, Janice Marlene Dilges. They were married on June 6, 1954, at Salem Lutheran Church in Mt. Vernon. To this marriage were born a son, Bryan Dean, and a daughter, Kelly Lee. They lived in Mt. Vernon nearly their entire married life.

Don enjoyed camping, fishing, playing horseshoes, and taking family vacations to the Black Hills of South Dakota. In later years, he and Jan would take trips to the scenic mountains of Montana, Utah, and Wyoming. Don farmed for several years, worked at Dick's Body Shop in Mitchell, and then became a valued employee of the South Dakota State Highway Department, eventually becoming foreman of the State Maintenance shop in Mitchell. Don retired from the Department in 1990 after working there for many years, which opened new doors for him. He loved woodworking and gardening and excelled at both. He proudly handcrafted furnishings for the newly built Resurrection Lutheran Church, and many neighbors and family members enjoyed produce from his garden.

Don is survived by his son, Bryan (Mary) Ross of Glidden, IA; son-in-law Paul Bormann of Chamberlain, SD; 4 grandchildren: Jamie (Brian) Morgan, Brett (Kristin) Ross, Lindsay (Brandon) Weber, and Brittany Ross; 3 great grandchildren: Chase Morgan, Harrison Weber, and Mark Weber; one brother, Wayne (Mildred) Ross; 3 sisters: Marian Durfey, Linda (Bob) Gutmann, and Lorri (Kirk) Thygeson, and a brother-in-law, Gary Dilges; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Don was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Janice, in 2019; his daughter, Kelly, in 2021; his parents, and parents-in-law John and Lenore Dilges.