The funeral service for Donald “Donnie” Sjomeling will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, March 17, 2023 at First Lutheran Church in Britton. Rev. Terrill Sorensen will officiate the service. Burial will take place in the spring.
There will be a one hour visitation prior to the service at the church.
Donald Michael Sjomeling was born on October, 11, 1952, in Selby, SD, the son of Erling and Isabel Sjomeling. He was raised on his parents’ farm and attended grade school and high school in Selby where he graduated in 1970. He was baptized and confirmed in Bethany Lutheran Church near Selby.
After high school he went to CA and joined the Marines where he spent three years serving his country at Camp Pendleton. Following his time with the Marines, he went to welding school and became a welder. He then worked for Bear Welding in CA and later bought that company. Don was known as a creative and talented welder and he helped many people in that field of work.
Don married Lorrie Applegate in 1975 and they had four children: Brandie, Tony, Bill, and Shawn. Don and Lorrie bought a summer home at Pickerel Lake, SD, in 2002, and they later divorced. Don then moved to Britton, SD, and there he married Maria Martin-Van Bockel. They lived there until the time of his passing.
Don was an “adventurist,” who loved the outdoors. He was an avid dirt bike racer, a hunter, and he especially liked the challenge of fishing. The family had fishing “shootouts” to see who was lucky enough to catch the biggest fish.
Don was known as a loving, caring person who helped many people including several in the Britton Ag community. His kindness and generosity were admired by many, especially his nieces and nephews.
Donnie passed away Sunday, March 5, 2023 at Marshall County Healthcare Center at the age of 70.
Don is survived by his wife, Maria; his children: Tony, Shawn (Tanya), Billy and Brandie (Dennis) Barnes; Maria’s children: Lyza (Josh) Mendel, Sioux Falls, SD; Jessica (Nathan) Karpinske, Paynesville, MN; Jacob (Mickala) VanBockel, Watertown, SD; his grandchildren: Kyler (Tony’s child), Taylor,Sage,Sasha,Grace,Ian, and Isabel (Shawn’s children), Gage, Logan and Jake Barnes (Brandie’s children), Braxtyn and Breelyn, Huron, SD (Lyza’s children); Meka, Destiney, Eli, Ellie, Bella, and Johann (Jessica’s children); his siblings: Jerry (Jeanette) Sjomeling, of Sioux Falls, SD; Dennis (Deborah) Sjomeling of Mandan, ND; Tim (Lonna) Sjomeling of Mandan, ND; Jane (Lowell) Looyenga of Custer, SD; Donna (Harry) Lindon of Owingsville, KY; and Debbie (Kevin) Dunn of Milton, FL.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Erling and Isabel Sjomeling, and one brother, Clint.
Condolences may be directed to Maria Sjomeling – 1306 1st St. – Britton, SD 57430.
An online guestbook and obituary is available at www. pricefuneralchapel.net.
