Don Garrity

Don Garrity, age 61, of Hayes, S.D., died Dec. 3, 2016, at his home. 

 

Donald De Wayne Garrity was born Sept. 24, 1955, in Pierre to Mary (Gregg) and Dean Pfeiffer. His favorite childhood memories were of the times he spent with his grandparents, Bob and Theresa Gregg. During his senior year of school he lived with Loretta and Willie Cowan and graduated from Riggs High School in 1973. He credits Willie with helping him win the state 4-H champion saddle bronc buckle in 1974.

 

Don spent a year working at Homestake Gold Mine before going to North Dakota to work in the oil fields. While in North Dakota, he became manager for Guardian Pipe Inspection Company and worked in various states and Argentina. In 1989, he returned to South Dakota and worked on the WA Hickman ranch at Ottumwa. 

 

On Jan. 8, 1998, he married Dodie Schmitz and they made their home in Hayes. With this union he gained two loving daughters, Dawn and Kelly, and five grandchildren.

 

Don and Dodie ranched and ran the Oasis Too store until they closed it in 2008. Don continued to ranch and was a local brand inspector until the time of his death.

 

Don was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church and served on the church council, was a member of 4-Corners Fire Department and was a certified first responder. One of his greatest joys was attending the five grandchildren’s activities and he was never too busy to spend time with them. Don credits the person he became to his grandpa, Bob, and Willie Cowan.

 

Survivors include his wife, Dodie; daughters, Dawn (Brad) Stover and Kelly (Darren) Tibbs; grandchildren, Kyle, Cade and Levi Stover and Bailey and Jayda Tibbs; mother, Mary (Buzz) De Neui; brothers, Bret (Miguel) Garrity and Bill (Amy) Zebroski; sisters, Wanda Garrity, Jo Pfeiffer, Holly Rilling, Kelly Fennell and Jill Pfeiffer; brother-in-law, Tim (Joan) Sleeth; sisters-in-law, Melanie Sleeth and Dee Briggs; and mother-in-law, Barbara Thimsen.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Bob and Theresa Gregg; brother, Art Garrity; father, Dean Pfeiffer; and paternal grandparents, Morris and Louise Pfeiffer. 

 

Visitation will be 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. CT, Thursday, Dec. 8, at Lutheran Memorial Church with a prayer service at 6:00 p.m. Services will be 11:00 a.m. CT, Friday, Dec. 9, at Lutheran Memorial Church with burial at Scotty Philip Cemetery.

 

Arrangements have been placed in the care of Isburg Funeral Chapel. Online condolences may be made at www.isburgfuneral chapels.com 

 

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to: Stirling Family Ranch Rodeo Cancer Fund or Four Corners First Responders.