Donovan Shoop, 95, of Redfield, SD died July 17, 2011, at Golden Living Center of Redfield;

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Redfield. Father Christopher Hughes will celebrate the mass.

Burial will be in St. Bernard's Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday, July 19, 2011, from 1-8:00 p.m. with a scriptural wake service at 7:00 p.m. at Thelen Funeral Home. (www.thelenfuneralhome.com)

Donovan Ralph Shoop was born to Ralph W. and Ann (McGough) Shoop on April 17, 1916 on the family farm near Rockham, SD. The farm has been his home for most of his life.

Donovan attended the Miller Grade School in Wheaton Township and graduated from Rockham High School in 1935. In 1936, he attended Commercial College in Huron for a year, and then returned to farm with his father.
Donovan married Alma Schimke on September 15, 1961 at Redwood Falls, MN.

Donovan enjoyed playing his accordion and played many years with the Max Hargens Orchestra. He and Alma also played for dances and often played for entertainment at several different nursing homes, bringing enjoyment to the residents. He served on the General Election Board and as clerk of the Carleton Township Board for a number of years.

He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Zell for many years. In 1978, he retired and rented the farm land, but continued to live there until 1999, when they moved to Redfield. He became a member of St. Bernard's Catholic Church.

Donovan enjoyed reading, watching TV, especially the car races and the Minnesota Twins games. He was a collector of John Deere toys and car collections. You could often see Donovan at auction sales looking for a good deal. Together he and Alma enjoyed numerous bus tours. He will be most remembered for his wonderful sense of humor.

Donovan is survived by his wife, several nieces and nephews and two very good friends Kirk and Chris Sargent.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a son Richard John and two nephews.