Donald Joseph McDonald

Donald “Don” McDonald, age 91, of Yankton, South Dakota died peacefully on Friday, March 20, 2026, with family at his side at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 AM, on Friday, March 27, 2026 at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Yankton with Reverend Thi Pham officiating. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Yankton. Visitation is from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, on Thursday, March 26, at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton with a vigil service and rosary at 7:00 PM. Visitation continues one hour prior to the funeral at the church.

Pallbearers are Jake Hohenthaner, Alex Hohenthaner, Neil Hohenthaner, Heath Arens, Chase Albers, and Jack Ritter. Honorary pallbearers are his granddaughters and great grandchildren.

Don was delivered by his Grandma Nipp on October 23, 1934, on the family farm in Mayfield Township, SD to Francis Sr. and Agnes (Nipp) McDonald. Don attended Cornbelt Elementary then Irene High School where he lettered in sports and was a member of the Student Council graduating in 1953. He worked various jobs for a couple years. On June 25, 1955, Don married Betty Kabeiseman at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Yankton. A year after their marriage, Don returned to his roots as a farmer and farmed the rest of his life, planting and combining well into his 80’s. Conservation farming was very important to Don and he also loved raising livestock. Don enjoyed playing cards, especially pinochle and was involved in several card clubs. He looked forward to calving season each spring, checking cattle on his 4-wheeler and in later years giving his grandchildren and great grandchildren a ride on it. Don served on Sacred Heart School Board as well as the Parish Council. He was a former member of the Elks and the Knights of Columbus. Don was a faithful member of St. Benedict Catholic Church and prayed the rosary daily.

Don is survived by his wife of 70 years, Betty McDonald of Yankton; five children: Leo (Michelle) McDonald of Mint Hill, NC, Donna (Jim) Arens of Yankton, Carol Hohenthaner (Rich Andre) of Yankton, Bill (Karla) McDonald of Yankton, and Karen Ritter (Shawn Sawyer) of Norfolk, NE; 13 grandchildren: Maggie McDonald, Heath (Cara) Arens, Jaclyn (Will) Hlas, Jake (Chelsee) Hohenthaner, Alex (Megan) Hohenthaner, Neil Hohenthaner (Elly Miiller), Sarah (Chase) Albers, Haley (Travis) Wilnerd, Shannon McDonald, Heather (Eric) Christensen, Kyla (Lucas) Hurlbert, MacKenzie (Kurt) Knight, and Jack Ritter; 10 great grandchildren; five siblings: Elaine Heirigs of Yankton, Duane McDonald of Yankton, Darrell (Helen) McDonald of Irene, Mary Kay (Harold) Drotzmann of Sergeant Bluff, IA and Jerrold (Vicki) McDonald of Irene; sister-in-law, Phyllis Mach of St. Paul, MN; and many nieces and nephews.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Francis Jr. (Pat) McDonald; three sisters: Delores (LeRoy) Hauger, Catherine (Edward) Hunhoff, Lois (Willis) Hauger; brother-in-law, Vincent Heirigs; and sister-in-law, Illraye McDonald.