Donald Carl Stahl, 75, of Redfield, SD, died Tuesday, June 12, 2012 on Highway 26, southwest of Redfield. His funeral will be Saturday, June 16, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at Messiah Lutheran Church in Redfield. Pastor Peter M. Utecht will officiate. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 4-8:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at Thelen Funeral Home in Redfield. www.thelenfuneralhome.com

Donnie was born to Carl and Rosa (Johnsen) Stahl on March 2, 1937 in Redfield. Donald "Donnie" grew up with his siblings Marlan, Rosalie and Jerry on the family farm five miles southeast of Redfield. He is a 1955 graduate of Redfield High School. In 1954, Donnie met and dated Sharon Neu until they married on June 1, 1958. Donnie joined the South Dakota National Guard in 1956 and served in the Redfield Artillery as a Gunner. Donnie and Sharon moved to Rockham, where he farmed until 1999 when they moved to Cottonwood Lake.

Donnie volunteered as a coach for the Rockham American Legion Baseball Team for several years, served as a Legion officer.

While Donnie was farming he was a Keltgen Seed Dealer and later became the Pioneer Seed Dealer until 2000. Donnie later became a crop adjuster for NAU Country Insurance until 2011 when he retired.

Donnie had a great passion for farming, served in several offices as a member of the Messiah Lutheran Church. Donnie and Sharon raised four children on the farm, Steven, Bruce, Ken, and Becky. Donnie was an avid cheerleader of his kids in all sports while they attended Redfield High School. Donnie and Sharon took great pride in their children and nine grandchildren.

Donnie is survived by his wife Sharon, three of his children Steve (Liz) Stahl of Chandler, AZ, Bruce (Amy) Stahl of Hartland, WI, Ken (Sherri)Stahl of Aberdeen, SD, son-in law Rod Fortune of Rockham, nine grandchildren, his brother Jerry (Laurie) Stahl of Redfield and fourteen nieces and nephews.


Donnie was preceded in death by his parents Carl and Rosa, one brother Marlan Stahl, one sister Rosalie Harr and his daughter Rebecca Fortune.