Donald Nordquist

Donald Nordquist, 90, of Milbank, SD, passed away on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at Milbank Area Hospital - Avera Health in Milbank.

Visitation will be held on Monday, November 25, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank. Burial will be held in Grantsville, Utah, where he will be laid to rest with his beloved wife, Bette, at a later date. 

Casket Bearers: Brett Anderson, Kendall Anderson, Gary Butler, Donald Butler, Joe Rupp, and Bryan Durfee

Honorary Casket Bearers: Mathew Holtquist, Tyler Nordquist, Drew Nordquist, Dustin Dravland, Levi Hentges, and Jonathan Biersbach

Donald Duane Nordquist was born on February 25, 1934, in a farmhouse in rural Marvin, SD, to Louis and Daisy Nordquist. He returned to his Heavenly Father on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at the age of 90, at Avera Hospital in Milbank, SD.

Oh, Dad, the places you have gone these past 90 years! Don was the second youngest of eight children. His family moved frequently during his childhood. He attended Marvin Country School and Mellette Elementary School in Watertown. Later, when his parents moved again to the country, he stopped attending school due to the challenges of walking miles to school in the brutal winter weather. He did, however, earn his GED when he was in his 60’s.

As a youngster, he was an incredibly talented athlete, excelling in basketball. A coach in Watertown even spoke to his parents about allowing Don to live with his family so he could continue playing basketball, but his parents were not keen on the idea. Don often said he thought he could have become a professional player if he had been able to stay in school.

At 17 years old, Don joined the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in France during the Korean War era. After returning from the service, he met and married Arlys Likness in 1954. Together, they had five children: Randy, Ty, Brenda, Tami, and Becky. The family eventually settled in Corona, SD, and later Milbank, SD. In 1979, Don moved his family to Utah to pursue employment opportunities. In 1982, he divorced and remarried Bette Butler DuClos in 1987.

During his time in Corona, Don worked at the Corona Grain Elevator, Dakota Granite, and also owned the grocery store. He began coaching his sons in baseball and his daughters in softball. Don played an instrumental role in forming the baseball league and helped establish the local ball field. He also enjoyed playing slow-pitch softball and participating in Milbank’s bowling league. Known for his hospitality, Don loved entertaining friends, hosting card parties, and cooking—especially fish, homemade ice cream, and hearty breakfasts after gatherings. A believer in community, Don started a “Hee Haw” variety show with his friends to raise funds for the Corona School gym and other community needs in the area.

Don was a self-taught jack-of-all-trades. While living in Utah, he worked in various professions, including plumbing at the Dugway Proving Grounds. His favorite job, however, was serving as a school crossing guard during his retirement years. He loved interacting with children and ensuring their safety. Don was also an avid gardener who enjoyed canning his harvests, as well as fishing, camping, and golfing. Don even appeared in movies! He played an ice-skating judge in the Disney movie Go Figure and worked as an extra in a few other films.

To know Don was to love him. He was always described as such a nice guy by anyone he encountered. He was enthusiastic about family reunions. He and his wife, Bette started family reunions for the Nordquist family in the 80’s and they continue today.

In 2021, Don moved back to Milbank to be near his daughters after spending 40 years in Utah. In February, he celebrated a wonderful 90th birthday at the Corona Community Center with many family members and friends. He also enjoyed playing pinochle with his group at the Milbank Senior Center. A faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Don worshiped with the Grantsville, Utah, congregation for many years before joining the Watertown, South Dakota, ward upon his return.

Don is survived by and will remain forever in the hearts of his children: Randy (Ann) Nordquist, Tyrone (Patty) Nordquist, Brenda (Scott) Malimanek, Tamara (Greg) Hentges, and Becky (Timothy) Gonzales; his stepchildren: Lanny (Andrea) DuClos, Cindy (Robert) Larsen, Sabrina (Brett) Anderson, and Rebecca (Feliciano) Medina; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; and his sister, Bonnie Aesoph. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Bette; his parents: Louis and Daisy Nordquist; his brothers: Merle (Marion), Harvey (Pearl), Harold (Beverly), Elroy (Beth), and Francis; his sisters: Dorothy (Chet) Chester and Beverly (Earl) Jensen; and son-in-law, Alan Holtquist. 

Thank you to Milbank Avera Doctors, Nurses and Patient Care Assistants for the exceptional care given to our dad during his many stays.