Donald Suedmeier
Donald Suedmeier, 67, of Aberdeen, SD, died Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at home.
Donald Lee Suedmeier Jr. was born on June 20, 1957, to Donald and June (Stahlecker) Suedmeier in Aberdeen, SD. He graduated from Aberdeen Central High School in 1975.
Don always wanted to be a disc jockey. After graduating from high school Don attended Brown Institute for Broadcasting in Minneapolis, MN. He received a certificate, F.C.C. 1st class with endorsement license. Don had a job with the radio and his on-air name was “JAWS.” After realizing it wasn’t what he dreamt it would be; Don worked as a cook at the Country Kitchen (Millstone Family Restaurant) and worked his way up to assistant manager.
Don was a true salesman at heart and was always coming up with new ideas. He excelled at managing the Costal Mart Convenience Store (formally Pesters/Derby) for 12 years. Don had won many contests for the North Central region in the Coastal Corporation. He was presented with the Coastal Corporations highest award, The President’s Award for Excellence in Service Station Marketing. He also received Station Manager of the Year for the Northern Division of Coastal Mart two years in a row. After Coastal Mart sold off all its C-stores to Shell Oil, Don had the opportunity to buy and own a candy and novelty store in the Lakewood Mall called Pic-N-Chews for 11 years.
While continuing to work as a seasonal chemical and fertilizer tender truck driver for Agtegra (formally SD Wheat Growers) in 2008 he went full time. He got the nickname of “the Image Coordinator” during the winter months, Don detailed the trucks he operated and kept them clean and tidy until his retirement in 2022.
Don was involved in various clubs and organizations over the years: Chairman of the Aberdeen Corvette Club, Member of the Optimus Club, Charter member of the Drift Busters Snowmobile Club, Aberdeen Dart League- Team Captain of “Indy,” Yahoo Honda of America Club, and Stereo clubs of America.
Don enjoyed watching the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. Don was especially proud of his home theater and stereo system.
He loved fast cars, motorcycles, snowmobiles, fishing, and some hunting. His most memorable hunting trip was to South Africa with his brother, Tom.
Don went by many names like Sudzy, but Uncle Donnie was our favorite. He was a big kid at heart.
Our favorite memories were of sleepovers, watching scary movies (Silver Bullet) and snowmobile rides. He would entertain us by talking like Donald Duck “oh boy” or saying, “Rub my feet, I’ll pay you money” (which he never did). We will miss his infectious laugh and daily drive-bys honking his horn to say “HI!”
Grateful for having shared Don’s life are his brother, Tom (Margie) Suedmeier; nieces, Rebecca (Adam) Graves and Roberta Suedmeier (Michael Helm); nephew, Aaron (Amber) Suedmeier; great-nephews, Rylan and Parker; great-nieces, Isabella, Savanna, Selena, Ryleigh; special friend, Maria and son Ethan; uncles, Harlen (Peggy) Stahlecker and Normen (Rose) Stahlecker; aunt, Sharon Vie; and many loving cousins.
Preceding Don in death are his parents, Donald and June Suedmeier; sister-in-law, Linda Suedmeier; uncles, Johnny, Milton, Fred, Calvin, Wilbert, and Richard Stahlecker, Leonard, Duane, and Emery Suedmeier; and aunts, Edna Meyer, Emma Steinwand, and Donna Glatt.