Donald Gene Mennis, age 77, of Brookings, SD, died on Thursday, November 24, 2016 at the Brookings Hospital.  Memorial Services will be held at 2:00PM, Monday, November 28, 2016 at First United Methodist Church.  Visitation will be from 1:00PM until time of service at the church.

Donald was born on March 21, 1939, in Toronto, SD, the son of Irvie and Gladys (Gleider) Mennis.  Don received his education in district #60, Violet Mound and graduated from the Astoria High School.  He continued his education for one year at St. Olaf College at Northfield, MN.  Don was united in marriage to Joan Luze on November 28, 1959 in Brookings.  He was employed for Montgomery Ward in Minneapolis, MN for a short time before moving back to Brookings.  He then owned and operated Champion Auto Store for many years.  Joan died on September 8, 1989 in Brookings.  Don married Betty Ruth DeJong on September 29, 1990.  He later was employed at SDSU as a maintenance mechanic at the physical plant until his retirement in March of 2003.  In Don's and Betty's 26 years of marriage he always enjoyed traveling to the Black Hills for hunting and vacations.  The highlight of his life was traveling each year to Gull Lake in Minnesota for their family reunion.

Don was  a member of First United Methodist Church.  He  loved to hunt, fish, play cards with friends and neighbors, woodworking, and later in his life embroidery.

Don is survived by his wife Betty Ruth Mennis of Brookings, SD; his children Steven (Nancy) Mennis of Brookings, Kevin (Renee) Mennis of Omaha, NE, Jeffery Mennis of Brookings, Nadine (Rusty) Edwards of Savana, IL, Douglas (Jeannine) DeJong of Panama City, FL, Darren (Wendy) DeJong of Brookings; eight grandchildren Anna, Tiffany, Shelby, Mandy, Nick, Sarah, Katelyn and Leah; four great grandchildren Gile, Gannon, Jacob, Alaina; one brother Dr. William (Helen) Mennis of Staples, MN.; one sister-in-law Judy Mennis of Texas; many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Joan, and one brother, Mark.