Donald R. Gab, 1940-2022
Obituaries-Mobridge / Posted Sep 27, 2022 | 11:07 AM / 365 views
Donald R. Gab, 82, Eureka, SD, died Sunday, September 25, 2022 at the Eureka Community Hospital.
Donald Ray Gab, son of Anna (Stotz) and Joe Gab, was born July 24, 1940 at Eureka. Donald was raised on a farm 15 miles southwest of Eureka. He attended Jackson #3 country school through eighth grade and Eureka High School, graduating with the Class of 1958. He was then employed working road construction. Donald served his country in the United States Army, being inducted September 11, 1963. He was honorably discharged on February 24, 1965 and returned to Eureka. Don married Connie Weller at Zion Church on April 10, 1966. Two daughters were born to this union. After several years of farming, the family moved to Eureka in 1975 where Don took a job with Hieb Excavating. Don married Kathryn (Pfeifle) Ackerman at the Eureka United Methodist Church on August 12, 1989. Don may be best known for his employment at the Eureka School where he was school bus foreman and bus driver from 1977-2007. During the summer months, he also worked for Kenny Hieb and Art’s Body Shop. In retirement, he worked as a rural mail carrier for several years and assisted Toby Biel during harvest. Don was currently a substitute driver for the Eureka Community Bus Service. Don was a faithful member of the Zion Lutheran Church where he served as a board member. He was a Eureka Volunteer fireman and served on the Eureka City Council. He was a Past Commander of the Fred Weller American Legion Post No. 186, Eureka, SD and was on the Drill Squad. He loved watching his grandchildren grow up and attending their various school events. His great-grandchildren brought him great joy and he was always excited for their visits.
Don’s funeral will be livestreamed at the Lien Family Funeral Care Facebook page and be available at this website Friday night.
Don is survived by Kathryn, his wife of 33 years; Two daughters—Monica (Wes) Hilgemann of Eureka and Jodi (Jack) Gab McClain of Playa Coronado, Panama; Two brothers—His twin Ronald (Ruby) Gab of Eureka and Greg (Cyndy) Gab of Destrehan, LA; one sister, Bonnie Mehrer, of Sioux Falls, SD; sister-in-law, Marcella Gab, of Eureka; two grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.
Don was preceded in death by his father, Joe, on May 30, 1974; his mother, Anna, on August 17, 2008; three brothers—Mervin, Orville, and Morris (in infancy); and one sister, JoAnn Bieber.
Funeral services will be 10:30 AM, Thursday, September 29, 2022 at Zion American Lutheran Church, Eureka, led by Pastor Ryan Gage. Interment, with military graveside rites by the Eureka Legion, follows at the Church Cemetery. Organist will be Kim Gruebele and the congregation will sing “Rock of Ages; Cleft For Me” and “Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound”. Recorded selections will be “Go Rest High on that Mountain” and “I Can Only Imagine”. Ushers will be Connie and Neal Woehlhaff.
Honorary bearers will be great-grandchildren Cash and Kollyns Hilgemann
Casketbearers will be Don’s son-in-law, Wes; brother, Greg; and grandchildren—Steven and Chasity Hilgemann of Glenham, SD and Allie and Royce Erdmann of Leola, SD.
Visitation will be Lien-Straub-Carlsen Chapel from 5:00-7:00 PM Wednesday.
Services are in care of Lien-Straub-Carlsen Chapel, Eureka.