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Don Petry • 1914 - 2007 Don was born February 5, 1914 the son of Daniel S. and Nora (Yoder) Petry in Surrey, ND. He was raised on several farms north of Surrey. He attended a number of one-room country schools, one of which his sister, Anna, taught. He graduated from Surrey High School in 1932. Don attended McPherson Brethren College in McPherson, Kansas for two years and then was asked by his parents to return to the family farm. Don was united in marriage to Enid Rasmuson April 4, 1943 in Surrey. They made their home on the family farm where they farmed and ranched. Don enjoyed farming and took pride in raising good crops and livestock. He was especially fond of Black Angus beef cattle, Brown Swiss dairy cattle, Columbia sheep, and Duroc hogs. He was an early adapter of new agricultural technology including crop varieties. He promoted good stewardship of the land including growing and rotating diversified crops and livestock. He was very proud that he promoted getting rural electric power to Maryland Township in 1948. He retired from farming in 1977. Don and Enid then moved to Minot. He continued to help in anyway he could with the operation of the family farm until the age of 87. Don was an active member of the Vincent United Methodist Church, Minot, and was a member of its Couples Club. He was especially proud of his part in relocating the downtown church to its present location. The pipe organ was moved piece by piece with his farm truck. He loved singing gospel songs. He sang for many years in a Church of the Brethren gospel mixed quartet. He would sing loud enough so that he could be heard over the tractor engine noise while farming. He was also a member of the Eagles Aerie, Elks, the ND Farm Bureau, the ND Farmers Union, the ND Stockmen's Association, and the American Angus Association. He loved telling stories about the "old days" and enjoyed providing information to visitors who came to find out about ancestors who homesteaded in the area. He loved his family very much and was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. His loving family includes: wife of 64 years, Enid, Minot; children, Tim (Shirley) of Fargo, and their children, Natasha, Kimberly (Matt Hammer), and Bethany; Steve (Santal) of Gambrills, MD, and their daughter, Laurie (Rob Timm) and their son, Carlin; David (Betty) of Minot, and their children, Amanda (Travis Lee), and Amy (Andrew Morken); Becky (Gary Wald) of Maddock, ND, and their children, Jeremy (Jamie) and their son, Jaden; Andrea, Molly, John, Mary, Jeffrey, and Megan; and Mac (Deb) of Bismarck, and their children, Jody and her fiancé, Darrin Riley, and their daughter, Cailin; and Shane and his fiancée, Whitney Andersen; sister, Anna Gottschalk, Freeport, IL; and numerous nieces and nephews. Donald was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel and Nora Petry; brothers, Harry, Edward, Norman, Paul, Ralph, Wilbur, and Morris. Funeral: Thursday, July 26, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. at
Vincent United Methodist Church, Minot. Music Active Bearers: Don's family A special note: Don is wearing the suit he wore at his wedding
64 years ago. To sign the online guest register
for Don |
Don
Petry, 93, 1509 10th St. SW, Minot, ND, died Friday, July 20,
2007, in his home.