Donald Wayne Schouwenburg

Donald Wayne Schouwenburg was born June 20, 1934 in a farm house near Valley Springs, South Dakota. He spent his childhood living with his family on farms in southwest Minnesota. Don attended country school until the 4^th grade, then he attended Hills High School, graduating in 1952. Don was always very busy and worked several jobs throughout his life as detailed in a short life history written by Don himself:

In 1952 I worked on the farm for Ed and Verla Baker until September. From September 1952 until December, I worked for the Great Northern Rail Road out of Hills, Minnesota, when we were laid off for the winter. After some time being laid off, I went to work for Bierkamp Auto for about 6 months. At that time, I was called in for John Morrell in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. After that I was laid off again and went to work for AR Woods night shift. Then I was called back to John Morrell after that again. But I was to be laid off again, so I took a job with Eli Walgrave. Phyllis and I were married on September 16, 1954 and lived in a two-room basement apartment in Luverne, Minnesota. Then in March 1956, I purchased the Repair Shop in Steen, Minnesota from Dick Bosch. We lived in Steen at that time. Then in December I bought Frank Berghorts’s share at Hills Implement Company and was a partner with my brother Marinus Schouwenburg. We moved to Hills in December 1959. In 1975, we sold the business to Marvin De Schepper and moved the business to Luverne and took Gary Olhausen as a partner. I worked for them for 2 ½ years. At that time, I took a job for Wilmer Elbers at Hills Stainless Steel in Hills until my first retirement. Then I worked at Glen’s Grocery Store for several years and went back to Hills Stainless Steel to help them for a time. We moved to Luverne Minnesota in 1992. I worked at HSS for a total of 35 years. At that time, I officially retired and we moved to Prince of Peace in September 2015.

On April 6, 2023, while in the company of his “girls” and extended family members, Don joined his wife Phyllis in the arms of their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at the age of 88 years, 9 months, and 17 days.

Don was an active member of the Reformed Church of Steen, serving on the Male Chorus, as a Deacon, and as an RCYF Leader. He was also on the city council and played for the Hills softball team. He enjoyed racing and watching sports, especially when he could watch his grandchildren play. His family will always remember and cherish the love and care Don showed toward them, particularly the care he showed toward Phyllis during her final years. He also had a great sense of humor and was always there to lend a helping hand.

Don is survived by his “girls” Connie (Russ) Cambern of Brookings, South Dakota, Lori Inafuku of Prior Lake, Minnesota, Joni (Curt) Gacke of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Julie (Fred) Rule of Sioux Falls; grandchildren, Russ (Katie) Cambern, Cassie (Trisha) Anderson, Jennifer (Jacob) Inafuku, Caitlin (Derek) Inamohafukucek, Ashley (Tony) Batholomaus, Allana (Dan) Rogge, Samantha (Tiaan) Treurnicht, Adam (Deanne) Rule, and Grace Rule; great-grandchildren, Courtney Anderson, Jacob Cambern,  Nolan Bartholomaus, Lincoln Bartholomaus, Hayden Ford, Maddox Ford, Tempe Rogge, and Willow Rogge; step-grandchildren, Josie and Andie; great-great-granddaughter, Montgomery; and sister, Anna Schouwenburg of Hills, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis; parents, Jake and Nellie Schouwenburg; and siblings, Bert Schouwenburg, Simon Schouwenburg, Henry Schouwenburg, Marinus Schouwenburg, Peter Schouwenburg, Sophie Berghorst, and Marie Klarenbeek; as well as many other treasured brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.