Donald H. Krege
Donald Henry Krege, 86, of Aberdeen, SD, died Thursday, October 26, at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital.
Donald was born September 3, 1937, to Henry and Edna (Bohling) Krege in Aberdeen, SD. He grew up on the farm and attended school in Columbia, SD, where he played basketball and football, excelling especially in football with his speed and toughness. An incredibly hardworking individual, Donald would work on the farm stacking hay bales as well as occasionally skipping school to shovel coal for the railroad. Donald was a family man. He and his family often played cards together, especially Pinochle, gathering together for birthdays and holidays, and had many picnics.
After graduating from Columbia High School, Donald joined the US Army and served as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne from 1956 to 1959. He moved to Aberdeen where he met Dorothy DeHoet at the bowling alley. Taken with each other, they were united in marriage on January 30, 1961, in Houghton, SD. Donald started his 40-year career with Northwestern Bell/US West in Aberdeen before he and Dorothy moved to Mobridge for a couple of years. They then settled in Lemmon, SD, starting their family. In Lemmon, Donald continued his career until retirement in 2000 while also working as a volunteer firefighter.
Donald was a member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Aberdeen. In his down time, one could find him watching old Westerns or Andy Griffith. He also enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren in sports and various activities. Taking great pride in his landscaping with Dorothy, he often shared this aspect of his life with his grandchildren, taking them on rides on his riding lawn mower. Donald was also known to let them steer his truck while sitting on his lap. He kept a well-manicured yard and was able to help his children with almost any handyman task they had.
Grateful for having shared Donald’s life are his children: Rob Krege, Cory (Carla) Krege and Kim Krege; grandchildren: Tara (Steven) Westhoff, Taylor Krege (Preston Peterson), Krista (Logan) Peterson, Derrick Krege, Coby Krege, and Morgan Krege (Nick Palmer); great-grandchildren: Landon and Maggie Jo; and his sister: Janice (Curtis) Sombke.
Preceding Donald in death are his parents, Henry and Edna, wife, Dorothy, and his siblings: Luella Hochhalter and Arlen Krege.