Richardton, North Dakota: Donald Bruce Chaffee, age 82, of Wibaux, Montana passed away on Thursday, January 17, 2013 in Dickinson, North Dakota. Visitation will be from 12:00 P.M. until 5:00 P.M. and from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at the Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home in Wibaux. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at the Calvary Temple Assembly of God Church in Wibaux with Reverend Reese Stephan officiating. Private family interment will be held in the Beach City Cemetery in Beach. Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home of Wibaux has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Don was born on April 22, 1931, the son of Sanford Hugh and Kittie Adele (McCoy) Chaffee. Don's mother passed away when he was just 2 ½ years old. He began his education at Haycreek School at the age of 5, along with his older sister Betty. Don graduated from Wibaux County High School with the class of 1948.
Don married Florence Lucille Zinda in 1950 in Wibaux and to this union was born Kitty Jo, Donald Hugh and Sandra Marie. Don and Florence began their life together by purchasing his father's farm from the estate. They moved into the bare, unfurnished farmhouse without the usual housekeeping necessities. From this humble beginning, they both worked long and hard over the years to make a secure and loving home for their family. As the children grew, there was time for camping, fishing, traveling, vacations to the west, southwest, national parks and other destinations the children remember fondly.
Don loved the farming and ranching lifestyle in northeast Wibaux County. When asked if he would have pursued any other vocation, his answer was "it never entered his mind." He planted shelter belts, used current farming practices as he progressed and earned an Outstanding Young Famer award in the 60's. As he thought about retirement, the farming fields had been planted to grass for hay. However, the tree planting has continued, as he planted new rows last spring and had plans for new rows at the (Jake Germann) house Kitty is renovating.
At various times Don and Florence leased and share-cropped many acres of farm ground. They raised chickens, sheep, hogs, milked cows, shipped cream, grew a huge garden and Don cut meat at the Knowles Locker Plant in Beach during the winter between milking cows. It was a common lifestyle at the time, it deserves honor and respect today!
Don enjoyed participating in the Wibaux parades with his antique cars, Model A truck and old tractors. He also enjoyed all of his ongoing projects in his shop.
Illness beset both Don and Florence in their retirement years. Florence passed away in August of 2008 and they lost their son Donald H. Chaffee in August of 2011.
Don was feted to an 80th birthday party by Kitty, Sandy and brother Don at the Shamrock in Wibaux. He and Karin Teeters became friends and were married on September 30, 2011 at the Bill Monroe Bluegrass Festival in Rosine, Kentucky, much to the surprise of all! They then traveled to hear bluegrass music, explore the Montana back roads and bounce through the pastures looking for more sandstone rocks and petrified wood to haul home. Two trips to Kentucky and Tennessee were highlights for Don and Karin, as Don wanted to explore his McCoy roots and to see the fall colors of the Cumberland Mountains.
Don was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 57 years, Florence; his sister Betty Harwick; his son Donald H. Chaffee and one son-in-law, Gerald Knapkewicz.
He is survived by his wife Karin of Wibaux; two daughters, Kitty Jo (Gerald deceased) Knapkewicz of Beach and Sandra Marie (Kim) Helvick of Wibaux; Don was a loving Grandpa to 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren with another great-granddaughter on the way; Don also lovingly added Karin's children, William Teeters of Wibaux and Mary (Gregg) Urlacher of Regent, North Dakota and 4 step grandchildren to the Chaffee Clan. One can never have too many cousins!