Donald "Don" Tvinnereim

WEBSTER – Donald “Don” Tvinnereim 91 of Webster passed away Sunday January 27, 2019 at Bethesda Home in Webster. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Saturday February 2, 2019 at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Webster, Rev. Mike DeKraai will officiate. Burial will be in the Webster Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday 5-7 P.M. closing with a 7 P.M. prayer service at Fiksdal Funeral Service in Webster. Donald Ardell Tvinnereim was born on June 28, 1927 to Bent and Lena (Skor) Tvinnereim on the family farm in Lynn Township, Day County, South Dakota, northwest of Webster. He was baptized and confirmed at Tabor Lutheran by Pastor E.S. Vik. He attended rural Gem School and graduated from Webster High School in 1945. He enrolled at Augsburg College in Minneapolis and soon discovered college was not for him. While in Minneapolis he worked at a White Castle Café and supervised children at Powder Horn Park. He returned home to South Dakota and started farming in partnership with his brothers. On January 1, 1950 he was united in marriage to Winefred McCarlson at Tabor Lutheran Church. Their first home was a three room farm house with no electricity. A nephew Wayne Hanson lived with them during the summer months. A family of skunks also lived under the house! They became the proud parents of 4 beautiful daughters, Donna, Marie, Joan and Kristie. Dad was a firm believer in long, hard days of work without complaining! Later they bought their first farm from Bert Handlin and began farming on their own. In 1963 they purchased the Herman Waller farm and more land south of Webster. Donald had a life long passion for land and cattle and became a licensed and bonded order buyer and cattle feeder. In 1970, Don and Winnie started Tvinnereim Livestock. Contributing to his success was son-in-law, Fritz and hired men Ike Waldner and Don Belain. The family joined St. John’s Lutheran Church in 1965. Donald was a former member of NFO, Webster Lions Club, Masonic Lodge, Sons of Norway, Yelduz Shrine Club and NE Cattleman’s Association. Years ago Donald and Winnie enjoyed many winter trips to warmer climates. He also enjoyed planting a large garden and sharing it with others. He was still interested in cattle and grain markets and was amazed at how technology has changed farming. Due to many health issues he became a resident at Bethesda Home in Webster in April 2015. Survivors include his four daughters, Donna (Fritz) Kwasniewski, Marie Rexius Dennis Johnson), Joan Jung (Tom Holdhusen), Kristie (Mike) Matthews; one sister, Beverly (Ed) Nizielski of Minneapolis, MN; one sister-in-law, Louise Burns of Portland, OR; 10 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren and many step grandchildren and special cousin Donna Klucka who was his faithful pen-pal. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Winnie, 7 brothers, 4 sisters, son-in-law, Larry Rexius, grandsons, Mark Kwasniewski, Jason Shoemaker, John Shoemaker, and great granddaughter, Faith Bjerke.