Donald Eugene Salmen passed away Monday, December 14, 2009, at Avera Weskota Memorial Medical Center in Wessington Springs, SD, at the age of 71. He was surrounded by, his family.

Funeral services were held on Friday, Dec. 18 at 11 A.M. at the United Methodist Church in Wessington Springs. Burial was at the Underwood Cemetery southwest of Wessington Springs.

Don was born on February 12, 1938 in Mitchell, SD to Glen and Gladys Salmen. He attended Cudmore School through 8th grade and graduated from White Lake High School. After graduation he attended Aggie School in Brookings, SD.

On July 11, 1959 Don was united in marriage to Phyllis Schuur in Britton, SD. To this union was born three sons, Robert Glenn, Timothy Wade, and Gordon Todd. He spent his entire life farming; most of it on the family farm his grandfather homesteaded, raising livestock and grain.

In 1972 he was awarded the Outstanding Young Farmer Award from the SD Jaycees. He was a member of Underwood United Methodist Church of rural White Lake and the United Methodist Church in Wessington Springs. He served on several boards in both parishes.

During his life, he enjoyed many things. First and foremost was his love for his family, especially his six grandchildren. He dearly enjoyed farming and trucking with his sons. Music was another one of his passions, often providing special music for various events, as well as singing in the choirs of both churches. He spent many years singing in the Aurora/Brule Chorus.

Later in life, Don developed some new loves, including trucking and antique tractors. In 1990 he started his own trucking business. He also restored a Model H Farmall tractor that his father purchased. He enjoyed many antique tractor shows and drives on that H.

Don was very active in his community, serving as clerk of the Pleasant Valley Township Board in Aurora County for 28 years and 18 years on the Board of Directors of Amkota Coop in Wessington Springs, several years as chairman of the board. He was also a 50 year member of the Frontier Lodge Masonic Temple in Wessington Springs.

Don is survived by his wife, sons Tim (Beth), and Gordon (Jackie), both of Madison, SD, a sister, Delores Byrum (Darrell) of Mandan, ND, and six grandchildren, Alishia Daily (Kyle), Kara, Kylie, Tyler, Noah, and Neely.

He is preceded in death by his parents, a son, Robert, and a granddaughter, Abby Lynn,.

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