Donald L. Vlieger, age 82, of Mitchell, SD died Friday October 24, 2008 at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Tuesday at Harvest Community Church of the Nazarene with Reverend Sean McPherson officiating. Burial will be at Graceland Cemetery in Fulton, SD. Visitation will be from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Monday at the Will Funeral Chapel with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 PM.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Will Funeral Chapel.

Donald L. Vlieger, son of Henry and Mary (Coulthard) Vlieger, was born January 14, 1926 on a farm in rural Artesian, SD. He grew up in the Artesian area and attended country school there. After his schooling, Donald entered the US Army on October 27, 1944. He served in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. Donald was honorably discharged on November 30, 1946 and returned to Mitchell, SD. While in Mitchell, Donald worked at various jobs.

He was united in marriage with Bernice Wurster on May 3, 1953 at the Beulah Nazarene Church in rural Fedora, SD. The couple worked as farmhands for ten years before moving to Watertown, SD. While in Watertown, Donald was employed in mobile home manufacturing for four years. They then returned to Mitchell, where he was employed at Cenex. While at Cenex, Donald drove the propane delivery truck and sprayed weeds in the summer time. At age 62 he retired from Cenex and went to work for Green Thumb at Graceland Cemetery in Mitchell. Donald then worked for two years at Goodwill Industries and then finally as a security guard for Dakota Pork.

Donald was a member of Harvest Community Church of the Nazarene, and a former member of the American Legion. He enjoyed reading westerns and watching tv.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Bernice, Mitchell, SD; five sons, William (Bonnie) Vlieger, Sioux Falls, SD, Francis 'Bud' (Darla) Vlieger, Mitchell, SD, Eldon, Elwin, and Richard Vlieger,  all of Topeka, KS; four grandchildren; one great grandchild; four brothers, Robert (Delores) Vlieger, Fridley, MN, Howard (Louise) Vlieger, Tacoma, WA, Rodney (Sandy) Vlieger, Richmond, VA, James (Karen) Vlieger, Las Vegas, NV; two sisters, Mildred (Leonard) Harris, University Place, WA, Marilyn (James) McCalister, Tacoma, WA.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and infant sister; and a brother, Wayne.