Donald W. Steptoe, 90, of Miller, passed away Sunday, November 28, 2021, at the Good Samaritan Society in Miller.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, December 3, 2021, at First United Methodist Church, Miller, with Pastor Teresa Whetsel officiating.  Burial with military honors will be at Morningside Cemetery, Ree Heights.  Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, December 2, 2021, followed by a 7:00 p.m. Eastern Star service, all at the church.

Donald William Steptoe was born on February 27, 1931, at home in Greenleaf Township. He was the second child of six children born to William R. L. and Velma O. (Wyant) Steptoe. They lived in Alden Township and later moved to the Meppen Farm in Greenleaf Township, just west of Lake Louise. He attended Steptoe Country School for eight years. Transportation to school was in a two-wheeled cart drawn by a horse. Don graduated from Ree Heights High School in 1949.  Don enjoyed playing the alto saxophone. He loved math, typing, history, and English and on his very last basketball game, he threw the basketball the full length of the court for a “swisher”.

He continued working on the family farm after high school. Don loved the outdoors, farming, and his horse, Baby. He loved to work with the animals. He helped construct the family home in 1950-51 on the Steptoe farm.

Donald was proud to serve his country during the Korean War from 1952 to 1954. He was trained as a Clerk-Typist, assigned to be an Army Administrative Secretary, close to the front lines, in Panmanjom, Korea, where the truce was signed. He was eight feet away from the signing. Life Magazine published a story telling of what Don had experienced. While in Korea, he found a way to send a dozen red roses to his Mom for Mother’s Day, delivered in a rural mailbox.

Don came back to the family farm and also worked for his Steptoe aunts on their farm after being discharged. Don also enjoyed working with an experienced carpenter, Cliff Boldt, in Miller for many years along with farming.

Don and the love of his life, Eleanor Fawcett Morford, were married on December 21, 1979. Eleanor’s family became Don’s family. He felt blessed with the love and friendship of Eleanor’s family: Keith and JoAnn, and their families as the years went by. They lived and farmed the Morford farm near Highmore until moving to their home in Miller next to Crystal Park.

Don picked up his hammer again and finished a “man cave” and a bedroom along with storage in their basement. They enjoyed many years of camping at the State Fair in Huron and other camping adventures, Lake Louise and the Black Hills. They enjoyed traveling around the United States, Canada, Alaska, Germany, Italy and Cuba. They celebrated their 41st anniversary on December 21, 2020. Don joined Eleanor as a resident at the Good Samaritan Society Home in Miller. He was very thankful and appreciative of the helpful and friendly care. The highlights of his days were when visitors came by but his iPad, card games, Bingo, puzzles, Old Western Movies on TV and fellowship occupied most of his time.

During his lifetime, Don enjoyed all hunting and fishing. A favorite time of the year was in October for a gathering of relatives and friends for pheasant hunting at the Steptoe farm. He was proud of his collection of firearms. He enjoyed snowmobiling.  He owned a 1971 Thunderbird Ford car, his pride and joy, along with driving his pickups and other cars. Don enjoyed family and friend gatherings. He was an avid fan of watching the Twins and Vikings on TV, even attending a live game.

Donald became a member of the Speirs Masonic Lodge #86, A.F. and A.M., of Ree Heights December 30, 1952. He became part of a much larger family, as he would often mention the fellow Masons, he would talk to on his travels. He was a Past Worshipful Master of Speirs Lodge; Yelduz Shriners, 33rd Degree Mason, Scottish York Rite and a member of Maxwell Chapter #133 Order of the Eastern Star, Ree Heights, NRA and VFW were among his organizations. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church.

Don served as a Hand County Commissioner in the early 1980’s. He was also a board member for Greenleaf Township for many years.

Card games after a Mason meeting and card games with his teenage nephews and nieces on a Sunday afternoon were highlights. Several strikes were recorded as a member of bowling league in Miller. Woodworking of several projects brought him joy. He loved the outdoors, his horses, farming and working with animals.

Left to cherish his memories are his wife, Eleanor; family: Keith Morford, JoAnn ,(Roger Zens), Morford; Judy Morford; grandchildren, Brent (Terri), Brian (Melanie), Nicolette (Andrew); nine great grandchildren: Evalyn, Jasper, Isaac, Grace, Natalie, Piper, Asher, Roselyn and Oliver; siblings: Robert (Karen) Steptoe, Carole (Harland) Fawcett, Mary Phinney Veneklasen; sister-in-law, Delores Steptoe; nieces and nephews, great nephews and great nieces and their families; many other relatives: aunt, Charlyne Joslin, uncle, Kent Blatchford, in-laws, Helen Fawcett, Kay Fawcett, Rodney and Rose Fawcett, Don and Marlys Fawcett and their families.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; infant sister; brother, Kenneth; and brothers- in-law: Bayard Phinney, Fred Veneklasen, Wayne and Dale Fawcett.

A life well lived, “Rest in Peace” Don. When a person passes away the cherished memories of their lives will always be remembered by their loved ones. He never met a stranger he couldn’t carry on a conversation with. Thankful for the memories.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be directed to the First United Methodist Church, 610 E. 4^th Ave, Miller, SD 57362.

Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Don’s arrangements.

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