Mass Of Christian Burial for Donald Glenn Kasak, 75, will be held at 10:30am, Wednesday, June 9, 2010, at St. Thomas More Catholic Parish in Brookings, SD. Visitation will be from 4:00pm until 7:00pm on Tuesday, at Rude’s Funeral Home in Brookings, with a Scripture Service at 6:00pm, also at Rude’s Funeral Home. He died on Friday, June 4, 2010, at the Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD.
Donald Kasak was born on January 11, 1935, in Sioux Falls, SD, the son of Joseph G. and Mary M. (Griller) Kasak. Don received his education in Sioux Falls, and graduated from Washington High School in 1953. He attended the University of South Dakota for several years and then continued his education at the International Correspondence School in Scranton, PA. Don was also employed as an Inventory Engineer for the Great Lakes Pipeline Company traveling between Doniphan, NE and Grand Forks, ND. He was employed as a Design/Detail Draftsman on the aircraft lofting tables in Minneapolis, MN. He then returned to Sioux Falls, SD where he was employed for Hugill, Batherwick, Fritzel and Kroeger (Architects and Engineers) as a Mechanical / Engineer Draftsman until drafted into the United States Army. He was united in marriage to Ellen Rae (Kurtz) Thornbrew on October 5, 1974 in Elkton, SD. He was then employed at Banner Associates in Brookings, SD, until his retirement in February of 1997. After his retirement he was employed as the manager of the Brookings Food Pantry.
He was a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Parish in Brookings. Don was very proud of his military career as it governed his lifestyle and personal discipline. He was very active in Scouting and was involved in both the Boy and Girl Scout programs. From 1950-1960, he served as a Merit Badge Counselor in Fairbanks, Alaska. His list of major awards and positions held in scouting were many. He received many awards including the Sioux Council Silver Beaver Award, Scouter’s Training Award, Scoutmaster Key Training Award, Commissioner Arrowhead Award, Commissioner of the Year Award (four Times), Brotherhood and Vigil Honors as well as many other awards. He received his Bachelor and Master’s degree from the Sioux Council College of Commissioner Science, and completed his Doctorate on the thesis of “Enhancing the Second Year Webelos Program”. He also received the Commissioner Key, Roundtable Staff Awards and two District Committee Keys. On March 15, 2004, he received the James E. West Fellowship Award. He was also very active in the American Legion and initiated the Brookings Ceremonial Drill Team, Double Knot Award, Civilian of the Year Award (through the military affairs division of the Brookings Area Chamber of Commerce). He also served as the Military Commander for Military Funeral Rites and was also involved with Boys State.
Don enjoyed many hobbies including traveling, music, art, native American culture, plays, concerts, movies, visiting with his many friends, scouting, the military and the American Legion. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family.
Don is survived by his wife Ellen of Brookings, SD; their children Carolyn (Kent) Halland of The Colony, TX, Cathy (Kevin) Lynn of Elkton, SD, Mary (Bob) Turner of Custer, SD, Kenneth Kasak of Brookings, SD and Donna (Daryl) Kahler of Brookings, SD. “Adopted Daughters” Zoe Knutson and Kim Dixon of Sioux Falls, SD; 15 grandchildren Melissa (JR) May, Jeremy (Ashley) Halland, Tiffanie (Jacob) Cochran, Jessica Lynn, Tristian (Jackie) Olsen, Derek Turner, Wade Turner, Megan Turner, Darian Turner, Joshua Kasak, Zachary Kahler, Jarrett Kahler, Jacob Kahler, Zebadiah Knutson, and Zaccheaus Christopherson; four great grandchildren Autumn Olsen, Colton Olsen, Adriyanna Lorenzen and Mason Turner; and one sister Barbara Jean (Len) McLean of Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho.
He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Mary Kasak, and his father-in-law and mother-in-law Kenneth and Ethel Kurtz.
