Donald Gruseth , age 84, of Volga, passed away Thursday, December 27, 2018, at home under hospice care surrounded by family.? Memorial services will be 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, January 2, 2019, at First Lutheran Church in Volga with burial in the church cemetery.? Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Eidsness Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Donald John Gruseth was born December 15, 1934, in Volga, SD, to John G. and Ethel M. (Lund) Gruseth .? He attended grade school at Cottonwood District #78, and graduated from Volga High School in 1952. Don started his working career in the lumber business and went on to manage the Haas and Wolfe lumber yard in Sinai, SD. ?

In 1960, Don married Arlene Brunick at Arlington, SD. They lived in Arlington for one year before moving to Sinai in 1961. They were blessed with three daughters, Bethany, Camilla, and Janet. ?

In 1965, Don started his banking career at the First State Bank of Sinai. In 1971, Don began working at First National Bank in Volga, SD. The family moved to Volga in 1972. His work in building and finance led him to his real estate career in 1985, joining Sioux Valley Real Estate which he later owned and operated until his retirement in 2009. Don was also active in real estate development in the Volga area, building numerous homes for resale.

Don was a lifetime member of First Lutheran Church in Volga, serving as a board member an d treasurer for many years. Don served his country through the National Guard from 1957-1963.  Additionally he served many civic and volunteer roles in Sinai and Volga including school board member, Volunteer Fire Department and Fire Chief, and was a charter member of the Volga Lions Club and Meadow Creek Golf Club.   He was also involved in many community activities including youth baseball and 4-H softball leader in his Sinai years.

Don loved music, singing in the church choirs in Sinai and Volga, as well as men's quartets and gospel groups.? Don enjoyed hunting and fishing especially in his Sinai years. In later years, he found the sport that he really loved, golf. He remained active in it for a lifetime. Don was one of the original founders of Meadow Creek Golf Club. His golfing claim to fame was accumulating five Hole in Ones. Don also enjoyed spectator sports, especially watching the grandchildrens ' sporting events.

? Grateful to have shared his life are his wife of 58 years, Arlene; children, Bethany (Lonnie) Sundberg of Arlington, SD and Camilla (Paul) Gunderson of Minnetonka, MN; four grandchildren, Tara (Mark) Jensen of Brandon, SD, Brooke (Nathan) Rozeboom of Inwood, Iowa, and Ben & Jack Gunderson of Minnetonka, MN; four great-grandchildren, Reagan and Jordyn Jensen, and Kade and Aubrey Rozeboom; sister, Marlys Erickson of Elk Point, SD, plus numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a daughter Janet, a sister Arlene Howard, and his parents.

In lieu of Flowers, memorials are preferred to Brookings Health System Hospice Care.