Donald "Don" Moffitt

Donald Ott Moffitt was born on January 31, 1920 to Royal Malvern and Effie Vera (Ott) Moffitt on a farm in Rock Township, Pipestone County, Minnesota. He attended country school in District 9, near Holland, MN, through the fifth grade, continuing school in Holland which then met in an old hotel. When he reached 11th grade he went to Pipestone High School, graduating in 1938.

In November 1941, he enlisted in the United States Army about a month prior to the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He served for four years, landing on Omaha Beach twelve days after D Day. His five battle stars represented his service as a radio operator with the Third Armored Spearhead Division, experiencing action in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes, and Central Europe. He was especially proud of being a part of the Battle of the Bulge and was the recipient of the Purple Heart. Upon honorable discharge in 1944, he returned to the Holland area.

On October 5, 1946, he was united in marriage to Betty Simpson at the Presbyterian Church parsonage and the two lived at their home in Holland for the next 64 years. Don worked for Standard Oil Company until 1958 when he became the Postmaster of Holland, retiring in 1984. In 2012, he moved into Ridgeview Estates and continued to reside there after Betty’s death in 2013. On January 7, 2017, Don passed away at the Pipestone County Medical Center at the age of 96 years, 11 months, and 6 days.

Don was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church in Holland where he was just recently given an award for being the oldest living member. He served as a church elder, volunteer fireman, and was once the Mayor of Holland. He was also a member of the Earl Gruis American Legion Post #534 in Holland, serving as commander for several years. One of the highlights of Don’s life was being able to go on the Honor Flight to Washington DC. He enjoyed visiting relatives and friends and especially watching his grandchildren at sporting events. Don liked going down to the Senior Center and shooting pool with the guys. He also sang bass with the church choir and in a barbershop quartet that often sang in church, at funerals and other events in the area.

Don is lovingly remembered by his three sons, Ron (Cathy), Rodger, and Steve (Sheryl) all of Pipestone; eight grandchildren, Ben Moffitt, Regina (Del) Gorter, Jesse (Kim) Moffitt, Will (Kelli) Moffitt, Casey (Mari) Moffitt, Rachel (Bobby) Kuiper, Danny (special friend, Shelby Steenstra ) Moffitt, and Meghan Moffitt; 13 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Avis Wallet, Joyce Sparrow, and Marlyce (Jim) Paar, all of Warsaw, Illinois; and many loving nieces and nephews. Don was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Betty; one brother, Royal, Jr.; and two sisters, Wanda Lepper and an infant, Delores.