Donald Roger Hauck Sr born December 01, 1942. Donald was the second of five children born to Christ Jr and Amelia “Molly” (Walker) Hauck. He was born and raised on a farm in rural Corson County, South Dakota. He attended country school through the eighth grade, riding his horse to and from the schoolhouse everyday “come rain, snow or shine.” He attended high school in McLaughlin, SD. While in high school, he was responsible for chores on the family farm; milking cows, tending pigs, chickens, geese, and the like. In his teen years, he worked on his Uncle Ed’s farm and “sold pop bottles” to get a bit of pocket change to take in a 25 cent show at the local movie theater. He enlisted in the National Guard in 1964, at the height of the Vietnam War. After basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO he served 6 years active duty in the South Dakota and Washington National Guard. He was honorably discharged in 1970.
Donald met Kathleen Marie Laintz of Selfridge, ND at a community dance in the Selfridge KC Hall sometime after he returned from basic training. After a two year courtship, the two were wed on September 20th, 1966. Don was already working at Beoing Aircraft in Tacoma, Washington at the time of the wedding. The newlyweds proceeded to make their home in Tacoma. However, Don was not a fan of the “city life” and after 18 months, the two returned home to the Dakotas. They initially settled in New Salem, ND but soon made their way back to South Dakota where they have resided since. The majority of their lifetime together was spent farming and ranching in McLaughlin, SD. Don also worked construction and helped out at the local Livestock Sale Barns. In his twilight years, he enjoyed driving school bus for local area schools. He had a passion for raising quarter horses and loved camping, fishing and playing pinochle. It could be said that Don never met a stranger. With his outgoing and engaging personality, he was frequently teased about his ability to strike up a conversation with anyone he met. Don and Kathleen “retired” to Mobridge, SD in 2015 where they spent many a day fishing for walleye. Donald passed at home in Mobridge on Thursday, March 6, 2025.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Donald R. Hauck, 82 of Mobridge, will be held on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at 11:00 am CT at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mobridge. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 21, 2025 from 5-7:00 pm CT at Kesling Funeral Home. Inurnment will take place at St. Philomena Catholic Cemetery, Selfridge, ND at a later date.
Donald is survived by his wife of 58 years, Kathleen Marie (Laintz) Hauck. They have four children: Duck W Hauck(Vicky Mertz) of Belle Fourche, SD, Dean Hauck(Carmen Hall) of Belle Fourche, SD, Juanita (Godkin) Richards(James) of Rapid City, SD and Roxana Bradford(Clayton) of Selby, SD, eight grandchildren: McKenin Hauck, Maclyn Westland(Austin), Ty Godkin, Danielle Godkin, Tomi Jo Dryer(Thomas), Dylan Bradford, Nathan Bradford, Cooper Bradford and 4 great-grandchildren: Huxton and Azley Westland, Bridger and Peyton Dryer, one sister: Deloris(Monte) Hauck, two brothers: Jerry(Della) Hauck and Wayne(Deb) Hauck, brothers in-law Daniel Jr (Pat) Laintz, Wilfred(Roberta) Laintz, Norman Olson, sisters-in-law: Geneva(Donald) Wingerter, Vera(Jack Marshall) Laintz, Laurie(Matt) Walker, and several nieces and nephews.
Donald was preceded in death by his parents Christ Jr and Molly (Walker) Hauck, his sister Irene(Norman) Olson, his father and mother-in-law Daniel Sr and Rose(Kraft) Laintz, his brothers-in-law Jerome(Jayne) Laintz and Monte Hauck and sister-in-law Pat(Daniel) Laintz.
