Donald (Don) Allen Symens, an only child, was born September 25, 1938 in Britton, SD to John W. and Edith M. (Osness) Symens. He was baptized on April 4, 1939 at Britton Presbyterian Church. A few months after his birth, his mother was diagnosed with Tuberculosis and admitted to the Tuberculosis Sanitorium in Santor, SD for 3 years of treatment. Don was raised by his father and maternal grandparents, Sigvald and Anna (Castle) Osness during this time. She returned to the farm and was a busy mother, farm wife and piano teacher to many local students. He was raised on the family farm near Amherst and attended all 12 grades of school at Weston Consolidated School, graduating in 1956 from Weston High School.

After high school he attended college at SDSU in Brookings. Don loved music and sang with the Statesmen Men’s Chorus, studied Agriculture and switched to a computer class through DeVry Technical Institute for Electrical and Electronics. He farmed with his father and on November 15, 1959 married Alice Moerke and started their family. After leaving farming they moved to Aberdeen where they raised their 6 children and Don attained his electrical license. He was a Master Electrician in SD and ND for over 40 years and still helped his father when possible. He had his first heart attack in early 1984 when returning from the farm to Aberdeen. Don and Alice later divorced.

Don and Donna (Meppiel Goltz) were united in marriage on September 25,1984 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Aberdeen. They moved to Amherst in November of 1984 and Don operated his electrical business and helped on the farm. In 1988, Don and Donna rented a shop in Britton to work from and then in 1990 they bought the Super Valu building. They named it Symens Electric/D&D Crafts and Framing which was a craft shop up front, electric repair in back and woodshop in the basement. Together they made many stenciled signs for family, businesses and orders, including above the door entering and exiting signs for the Zion Reformed Church in Amherst.

Music and singing was one of Don’s loves. Throughout his life he sang with church choirs, Shrine Chanters, Marshallairs, Britton Community Singers and several quartets. Don was dedicated to his family, church and communities and had a deep belief in helping others. Don touched many lives through involvement in church, Scouting, coaching baseball, Masons, Weston Township Board, Lions Club and Yelduz Shrine (sponsoring several children, including Allison Vietor) and driving the van to their treatments. Service to God and his fellow man was a core tenet in Don’s beliefs and he made a difference in many lives. He enjoyed crossword puzzles, history, reading and visiting museums. In 2000 they sold their home and shop in Britton and settled on the family farm in Amherst, while still doing motor repair, woodworking and working around the farm.

Bad health, 2 more heart attacks and severe kidney disease slowed Don down. In July he entered MCHC and entered comfort care on Thursday, July 24. Donna drove him out to see his farm area from the car, took cell phone pictures that he looked at in his hospital room that night and Friday. Friday evening he sang “How Great Thou Art” with his care nurse. He passed away early Saturday morning July 26, 2025 at the age of 86.

Special memories from his granddaughters: Liz said her favorite memories of Grandpa were “seeing how long we could make the sugar coated orange slices last while traveling, sharing Whoppers candy, him wiggling his ears and me trying to do the same thing and rides on the farm in the Cruiser.” Megan said her’s were “building my bow with him, driving in the Cruiser and picking plums.”

Blessed to have shared his life is his wife of 40 years, Donna Symens; their blended family, Michael (Christi) Symens; Sheryl (Paul) Manz; Greg (Julie) Symens; Brent (Becky) Symens; Brian (Valerie) Symens; Roger (Stacy) Goltz; Kevin (Marsha) Symens and Mark (Melanie) Goltz; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brotherin- law Bill (Theresa) Meppiel Jr; nieces, nephews, cousins and their families; and a host of lifelong friends and chosen family.

Preceding Don in death were his parents; grandparents, Sigvald and Anna Osness, Harm and Wilmke Symens; parents-in-law Bill Meppiel, Sr. and Shirley Meppiel; granddaughters, Kelly Heath, Karen and Heidi Symens, and Nicole Schnabel.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor Don’s wishes and consider a donation to Amherst Zion Reformed Church; Marshall County Healthcare Center.

Condolences may be directed to the family in care of Donna Symens- 11520 412th Ave. - Claremont, SD 57432.

A full obituary and online guestbook are available at www.olsonfuneralchapel.com