Obituary | Donald Eugene Kuhle of Sioux Falls, South Dakota

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Donald Eugene Kuhle, passed away April 15, 2023, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota after leading an extraordinary life; raising his community and family, gathering many friendships, touching thousands through his businesses, and serving his country for 40 years in Lincoln, NE, 44 years in Sioux Falls and 8 years in the Air Force . He was a strong Catholic, wonderful husband of 53 years to Shirley Albertus Kuhle, devoted father of four children and loving grandfather of three grandchildren.

Don was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley; daughters, Kathy Hall and Kristy Kuhle. He is survived by his daughter, Kim, and son, Ken; dear friend, Phyllis Nelson; son-in-law, Bob Hall; and grandson, Akara Hall; son-in-law, Mike Markus; and grandchildren, Michelle Markus and Maria Markus.

Don was born on September 6, 1930, in Madison, SD, at the dawn of the Depression. The memory of being a poor farm boy was a major motivator for his entire life. Don helped his parents farm in West Acres, Sioux Falls, where he graduated from Cathedral High School in 1949, and won many prize money for raising cattle in 4-H. On June 4, 1954, Don married Shirley Albertus, enlisted in the Air Force and completed an undergraduate degree at South Dakota State University. As a supply officer, Don served in Tucson, AZ, and Hunter Air Force Base in Savannah, GA. After serving 8 years, he led a statewide sales force of 100 insurance agents while raising a family in Lincoln, NE. He founded the Beltline Ford Tractor Co., where he won 27 crise trips as a result of his sales record.

After “retiring,” Don returned to Sioux Falls in 2002 where he grew a portfolio of 58 commercial properties, enjoying his job until his last day – April 15th, which was fitting because it wasn’t he likes to pay taxes. After Shirley passed away in 2007, Don spent time with Phyllis Nelson and was lovingly adopted by her 6 children and countless grandchildren. She especially enjoyed the way the Harrises kept her kitchen stocked with their homemade sweets and meals-to-go. This was very important to Don because he remembers going hungry while working long hours as a poor farm boy growing up in the “1930s.”

Despite these challenges, including caring for a wife who has suffered health problems for 31 years, Don shares his mischievous, dry sense of humor with everyone, thereby making new friends. in every career decision and family event. He enjoyed snowmobiling, boating, cardplaying, bicycling and attending Tuesday Breakfast Club meetings – anything as long as it didn’t interfere with a Minnesota Twins game. Don raised funds for many civic causes, including muscular dystrophy, services for the US Nebraska Submarine Sailors and the Catholic Foundation.

Over the years, Don would say, “Don’t worry about me because I enjoy every day and my job.” In his usual executive manager style, he said, “Just throw the farmer boy in the back of the truck and take me to Heritage Funeral Home. I have no regrets.”

Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary Catholic Church, 10 AM, Saturday, April 22, 2023. Vigil and Rosary, 6 PM, Friday, April 21, 2023 at Heritage Funeral Home. Burial in Lincoln Memorial Cemetery, Lincoln, NE.

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