Donald E. Arthurs, 86, of Redfield, SD, died Monday, June 02, 2008 at Avera St. Luke's Hospital in Aberdeen, SD. His funeral will be Thursday, June 5, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at Thelen Funeral Home in Redfield. Reverend Tim Fugman will officiate. There will be full military rites after the service. After the services Donald will be cremated and his ashes buried in Greenlawn Cemetery in Redfield. Visitation will be Wednesday from 1-8:00 p.m. with the family present from 5-7:00 p.m. www.thelenfuneralhome.com

Donald was born October 10, 1921 in Mellette to James and Josephine (Wendt) Arthurs. He grew up and attended school in Mellette. Donald married June Lorenzen on January 7, 1948 in Aberdeen. They lived on the family farm until Don was drafted and served in the United States Army during WWII from 1945-1946. Don joined the Army Reserve and was recalled for the Korean Conflict. Don earned a Purple Heart for injuries he received. He was honorably discharged in 1951. After his discharge, Don worked for the Mellette Wheat Growers for nineteen years and later He and June moved to Redfield and he worked at SDDC-Redfield and Dakota Hatchery.

Donald loved to spend time with his grandchildren, fishing at the lake, playing cards with his family and friends and playing with his favorite dog "Buffy", who meant the world to him. Don was always puttering around in his "second hand store" building something or telling his stories (again).

Blessed for having shared in Donald's life are his wife June of Redfield, his children: Donald M. (Cheri) Arthurs of Faulkton; Kristi (Lorry) Buchholz of Redfield; Pamela Nelson of Redfield; and Lannie (Kerry) Arthurs of Redfield. He is also survived by thirteen grandchildren: Christopher and Lacee Arthurs, Kea Wager, Shawn (Jami) Groft, Kalena (Travis) Fast, Landon (Denise), Jordan, Logan and Keisha Arthurs, Bryce Kopplin, Leonnie, Jamie and Bradley Binger, eighteen great-grandchildren, four sisters: Ellen Allbee, Irene Bye, Doris Little and Inez Fink and one brother Bill (Betty) Arthurs and many nieces and nephews and a special niece Diane (Elmer) Zahn.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters: Lucille Zerbel, Alberta Ross and Ruth Ford and two brothers: Lawrence and Howard Arthurs.