Donald "Don" John Welke, 91, of Redfield, South Dakota, passed away Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at Community Memorial Hospital in Redfield. He was recently preceded in passing by his wife of 70 years, Joyce, who passed away in September of this year. Don's services will take place later in 2026. Hyke Funeral Home of Redfield has been assisting the family with arrangements (www.hykefuneralhome.com).

He was raised on a farm south of Tulare, South Dakota, by his parents, John and Alice (Felton) Welke. In his teenage years, the farm became his responsibility to maintain, while his brothers were fighting in Europe and Africa during World War II, and his Dad was recovering from a farm accident.  Don actually saved his Dad's life by turning off the equipment that his Dad was caught in. Don could not finish school at Tulare High School until he was twenty. He shared many stories of riding his Shetland pony to country school during the elementary years.

His passion for the Ringneck Pheasant and its survival manifested during the years on the farm by protecting them from predators and being a source of food in the lean times. Later in life, he hunted them with family and hosted out-of-state hunters. During retirement years, he used the spilled grain at the South Dakota Wheat Growers facility to feed the pheasants at Hav-A-Rest in Redfield or other places near town during the harsh winters.

He enjoyed fishing the local lakes and rivers for whatever was biting and taking friends or family to his secret spots. He always had a dog around throughout the years on the farm and at the house in Redfield. The names of the dogs were Smokie, Queenie, Peanut, Target, Sparky, and Captain.

For the majority of his working years, he drove truck for the Dakota Egg Company and later finished his working days at the Redfield State School.

Don was the last to pass away out of three siblings: Maxine, Clayton, and Wilbur.

He is survived by his four sons: James and Terry of Texas, Mitchell of Utah, and Todd of California.

Don and Joyce enjoyed backyard bird watching as a hobby. They installed feeders and birdhouses to attract them. There will be a bench or more installed at the Hav-A-Rest area overlooking the lake for others to sit and observe nature. Any memorials received will go towards funding the project.