Donavon George Schade, 100, of Redfield, SD, passed away on Monday, July 25, 2022, at the Eastern Star Home in Redfield. Visitation will be 5:00 – 7:00 pm on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at Hyke Funeral Home in Redfield. The family will be present to accept condolences.
The funeral service for Don will be at 11:00 am on Friday, July 29, 2022, at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Redfield. Burial will follow in the Greenlawn Cemetery. The funeral service will be live-streamed to the funeral home’s website below. Hyke Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. (www.hykefuneralhome.com)
The family asks that if you send flowers, you use Country Classic Flower Shop in Redfield.
Donavon was born January 4, 1922, in Wheaton Township, SD, to George Edward and Ella Mae (Irwin) Schade. Don grew up and started farming at a very young age, spending his life farming in that area. Hard work was a way of life. He married Inez Leanore Bush on January 24, 1944, at the Methodist parsonage in Redfield, SD. In 1945, they started farming on the place still operated by their son George and grandsons Lance and Landon Schade. Don and Inez remained on the farm until moving to Redfield in 1992. He and Inez entered the Eastern Star Assisted Living in 2015. They both had an everlasting love for farm life and proud that the legacy has been carried on. Nearly every day, they went for a “ride” to the farm, checking the progress of the crops and thoroughly enjoying every stage, mainly harvest time. Don enjoyed trips to the farm until his last days, always hoping to see some of the family. I am sure he enjoyed the new equipment and wished he could drive it! Don loved hearing about the changes in machinery and farming practices. He was a good steward of the land. Don loved visiting with people. Whether he knew them or not, he was interested in their way of life. He drove many miles and spent many hours having coffee with anyone anywhere! Appel Oil was a favorite coffee spot, sometimes arriving before opening hours!
Don spent many years serving on South Dakota Wheat Growers Board of Directors. He also served on the Hand County ASC committee for years. They were members of the Wheaton and the First Congregational United Church of Christ. He and Inez enjoyed the friendships made through the years.
Don and Inez enjoyed traveling and taking impromptu road trips. Usually leaving early, taking the scenic route, and loved eating at a “truck stop”. He loved a new vehicle! The family was a significant part of their life. They made many trips to Lemmon, SD, to enjoy the many activities of their grandkids, many times returning home the very same day! Don truly enjoyed having his grandkids living next door and watching them grow up. Don enjoyed reading all the local, area, farming, and livestock newspapers.
He is survived by his children: Jill (Richard) Alkire of Redfield and their daughters Holly (Darin Mason) Petersen and Amy (Ben Carlisle) Rothacker; George (Carla) Schade of Redfield and their children, Andrea (Heath) Mushitz, Lance (Keri) Schade and Landon (Kallie) Schade. Great grandchildren: Taylor and Zach Petersen, Blaine and Derrek Rothacker, Kynslee and Gabe Mushitz, Harper, Beckham, and Oaklen Schade and Lucchese and Preslee Schade. He is also survived by his sister, Rita Lunney; sister-in-law, June Ehrich; and brother-in-law Joe Nuhsbaumer.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Inez in 2016; a son Richard Donavon in 1969; and sisters Irene Ivers McCart, Doris Paschke, Ila Mae Bush, and Roberta Schade, and many extended family.
We are grateful for the exceptional care he received from the many workers at the Eastern Star Home in Redfield.
