Donald Wingen, Epiphany

Donald Raymond Wingen, 76, Epiphany, died Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012, at Avera Heart Hospital of South Dakota, Sioux Falls.

He was born on Aug. 16, 1936.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Church of the Epiphany, Epiphany. Burial will be in Church of the Epiphany Cemetery.

Visitation will be from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday at Willoughby Funeral Home, Howard. Visitation will resume at 5 p.m. Monday at the church with a 7 p.m. Scripture and rosary service.

Don was born at Mitchell to Tony and Marguerite (Allen) Wingen.

Don graduated from the Canova High School in 1954.

In that year. Don’s father died and Don took over the farming operation and helped to raise his younger siblings.

Don remained on that farmstead until his death.

Don was united in marriage to Ardys Zens on Nov. 30, 1968, at Church of the Epiphany, Epiphany.

Don was very active in the communities of Epiphany and Canova.

Don enjoyed sports of all kinds. He officiated at numerous football and basketball games for more than 20 years. He also coached two generations of young men playing basketball and baseball.

Don was active in playing amateur baseball for the Epiphany and Canova teams.

Don managed the Canova Gang baseball team the year they won the State Amateur Baseball Tournament in 1966. He then played softball for several years.

Don kept active farming his entire life.

He loved watching his children and grandchildren in all of their activities. Don dearly loved his family, especially holding and spending time with each of his 25 grandchildren.

He was an easy-mannered man, who was generous to a fault.

Don will be missed by many, but memories of him at family and community gatherings, playing and coaching sports will continue.

Those grateful for having shared his life include his wife Ardys, Epiphany; his children and grandchildren: daughter Mary Beth (Randy) Ronsiek, grandchildren: Luke, Emma and Hannah, all of Brandon; daughter Vickie (Rob) Venhuizen, grandchildren Alyssa, Derek, Brandon and Kyle, all of Tea; daughter Karen (Dan) Sievers, grandchildren: Meaghan, Devon, Danielle and Aidan, all of Clear Lake; daughter Nancy (Tobin) Klinkhammer, grandchildren: Creighton, Felicity, Isaac and Gabrielle, all of Sioux Falls; daughter Jennifer (Josh) Klinkhammer, grandchildren: Carson, Connor and Gavin, all of Brookings; son Michael (Julie) Wingen, Epiphany; grandchildren: Hunter, Hayden and Adisyn; daughter Sarah (Brian) Dewald, grandchildren: Erin, Sutton, Cole and Mason; his brothers: Jerry (Jan) Wingen, Enfield, Conn.; and Ken (Dee) Wingen, Richmond, Va.; sisters: Delores Moseke, Larton, Va.; Virginia (Jerry) Darby, Schenectady, N.Y.; and Peggy (Glenn) Eich, Sioux Falls.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, sisters: Mary Jo Sanderson and Sharon Wingen, and brother, Norbert Wingen.

Tags: obituaries, epiphany

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