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Submitted: 9/18/23 • Approved: 9/19/23 • Last Updated: 9/22/23 • R275413-G275413-S3
Section 21
Donald E. Blumhoff Sr.
June 18, 1939 - August 4, 2022
Donald Edward Blumhoff Sr., age 83, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, left his earthly home to be with his Heavenly Father on August 4, 2022, surrounded by his family. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, August 9, 2022, at St. Lambert Catholic Church in Sioux Falls. Visitation with family present to greet friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Monday, August 8, 2022, at George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory. A Liturgical Wake Service and Holy Rosary will follow at 7:00 p.m. Memorials may be directed to the St. Lambert Catholic School.
Don was born June 18, 1939 to Frank and Margaret (Zitka) Blumhoff in Minot, North Dakota. He attended St. Leo’s Catholic School and received all the Sacraments through the Catholic Church. He married Alice Marie Nichols June 25, 1959. They were blessed with 63 years of marriage and four children.
In his earlier years Don worked with Burlington Northern Railroad laying and maintaining railroad tracks. In 1956 he joined the United States Army and was stationed in Germany for 2 ½ years. After the Army, Don worked in Minot, ND as a pin setter at a bowling alley. He was employed by Harry’s Tire Service, delivered milk for Bridgeman Creamery and worked as an instate and cross-country truck driver with Kedney Moving and Storage, eventually advancing in the business as foreman.
Don took a big leap of faith when he moved his family to Sioux Falls, SD in July of 1976 to manage Kedney Moving and Storage, an affiliate of Allied Van Lines. In the later 1980’s he bought that business. He was good to his employees and known by some as “The Big Kahuna”.
Don had a quiet faith. He led by good example making sure He and his family attended Mass together each Sunday. Afterwards relatives would gather at his in-law’s farm in Berthold for brunch. Years later the Sunday brunch tradition continued at Helen and Bernard’s home in Minot with a host of relatives playing cards and enjoying each other’s company. When living in Minot he was very active in the Knights of Columbus and became a Grand Knight in the late 1970’s in Sioux Falls. He was also involved in ushering and Eucharistic Ministry through St. Lambert’s Church.
His love for family was quite evident. He was always there when someone needed help with a home project, advice, or watching the grandchildren with Alice. He liked inviting family and friends to their lake home in Madison, SD and later to Leech Lake in northern Minnesota where fishing, working, and just being together were enjoyed. He and Alice spent many warm winters in Mesa, Arizona where they made new friends and enjoyed entertaining family and relatives from afar. Holidays were important to Don, especially Christmas and the Fourth of July. They made it a point to always fly back home to Sioux Falls to be with their family for Christmas. On the Fourth of July he would try to outdo, in fun, the Northern Minnesota Lake neighbors with his huge assortment of fireworks for an amazing display at their lake property. Don and Alice spent many years in the Corvette Club enjoying the company of new and old friends. For many years Don looked forward to his daily coffee outings with his best friend, Dennis Bickett.
During his last 1 ½ years, Don was in the Long-Term Care section of Prince of Peace due to many strokes which limited his physical capabilities. Last November he qualified for Avera Hospice Care which we all found comforting since it meant an extra hour of care each day in his own room.
Privileged for sharing Don’s life are his wife, Alice, Sioux Falls, SD; four children: Debbie (Kim) Lorenzen, Frisco, TX, Dori (Irvin) Nash, Sioux Falls, SD, Don Jr. (Helen) Blumhoff, Sioux Falls, SD, and Diane (Kevin) Scott, Sioux Falls, SD; eight grandchildren: Melanie (Eric) Oldenkamp, Joshua Lorenzen, Angie (Tom) Flake, Melissa (Mychal) Hadrich, Nate Nash, Eric Nash, Marie (Dustin) Griffin, and Cathie Scott; 9 great grandchildren: Maxwell and Dexter Oldenkamp, John-Paul, Elizabeth and Lucia Hadrich, Blaine and Hunter Dillenberg, and Taven and Teagan Griffin; brother, Ray (Marianne) Blumhoff, Seattle, WA; sisters, Esther (Bob) Frost, Grand Forks, ND, Gloria Michaud, Grand Forks, ND, and Josephine Diehl, Houston, TX; sister-in-law, Jan Blumhoff, Sioux Falls, SD; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Don was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Bob, Larry and Carl; and sisters, Maryanne and Betty.
Contributed on 9/18/23 by 9katz
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Record #: 275413