Donald Strege

Donald F. Strege, age 94, of Milbank, SD, passed away on Friday, March 15, 2024, at Avantara – Milbank Nursing Home.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in rural Milbank, SD. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 22, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Reverend Nathan Neugebauer will officiate the service and interment will be at Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery following the service.

Donald Frederick Strege was born on September 30, 1929, in Milbank, SD, to Frederick and Elsie (Jann) Strege. He attended school at Alban Township #5 School through eighth grade.

On January 10, 1951, Donald was united in marriage with Luella Reese in Milbank, SD. To this union, five children were born.

Only a few days after they wed, Donald enlisted in the Army National Guard in Ortonville and served with the 25^th Division during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged in December of 1952.

Donald and Luella resided in Alban Township of Grant County, SD, from 1951 to 1967. They moved into Milbank in 1967 and resided there until Luella’s passing in 2009. Donald remained in their home until October of 2022 when he moved into assisted living.

Always a hard worker, Donald worked at Strege & Sons in Big Stone City, SD, and at Rod Weeder in Ortonville, MN, for many years. In 1983, he started work in the maintenance department of the Whetstone Valley Nursing home and worked there until his retirement in 1998. Donald was an all-around handyman and could fix just about anything. He also detailed many vehicles throughout the years.

With his faith being large part of his life, Donald was a life-long member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in rural Milbank. He was baptized and confirmed there when he was young and in later years, served as a church elder, treasurer, and chairman of the church board.

Following retirement, Donald enjoyed travelling and visited many states and countries with his wife, Luella.

Donald is survived by his children: Don (Laurie) Strege of Milbank, SD; David Strege of Rapid City, SD; Linda (Randy) Athey of Big Stone City, SD; Brenda (Mark) Hitzemann of Sioux Falls, SD; and Roger Strege of Buffalo, MN; seven grandchildren: Nathan (Kayla) Strege, Michael Strege, Daniel (Christina) Athey, Abbie Hitzemann, Andrew (Nicole) Hitzemann, Taylor Strege, and Claire Strege; five great-grandchildren: Averie and Keelan Strege; and Jackson, Harrison, and Hudson Hitzemann; brothers: Bob Strege, and Harold Strege; along with many nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents; wife, Luella; grandson, Jason Brotzel, daughter-in-law, Suzy Strege; and sisters-in-law: LouAnn Strege, Mary Strege, and Darlene Eide.

Memorials are preferred to Bethlehem Lutheran Church.