Donald R. Shultz, 94, passed away peacefully on November 24, 2024.  Don had a wonderful friendly and generous spirit that touched numerous lives.  Born on September 14, 1930 to Milo Walden Shultz and Ruth Train Shultz in Mitchell, S.D., he shared many fond childhood memories of enjoying swimming, ice skating and playing marbles with his brother, Maury.  He grew up in Huron and graduated from Huron College with a degree in History.  He met the love of his life Frankie Swett and they married in 1953.  In 1954, he obtained his law degree from the University of S.D.  He remained very active and passionate about the USD Law School Foundation.  Don was deferred from the Korean War to complete law school, upon graduation he served in the Army in Okinawa, Japan for 15 months.  Don and Frankie moved to Rapid City in 1956 where he practiced law with Lynn, Jackson, Shultz, & Lebrun, P.C.

He loved the practice of law, with the firm's law partners and felt particularly passionate about preserving the right to trial by jury.  He stated, "Of all the existing lawyer's groups, ABOTA is exclusively designed to defend the American civil justice system and the right to a civil jury trial." In 1993, Don was elected National President of ABOTA (American Board of Trial Advocates.)  He served as President of the South Dakota State Bar, awarded the prestigious McKusick Award, served as Director of the University of South Dakota Foundation and was a member of many other legal organizations.

Don and Frankie raised three children: Jay, born in 1957, Joni in 1959, and Jan in 1961. They shared a close-knit family life filled with many happy times with the YMCA swim team, frequent skiing at Terry Peak, and traveling.  He was a devoted family man and loving father, instilling moral strength, character, and wisdom.  He was always by his children's side.  When most snowbirds headed to the sunny south for the winter, Don and Frankie headed to Sun Valley, ID ski resort and enjoyed skiing and the ski community. They cherished four grandchildren, JJ Shultz, Lauren (Shaun) Seiler, Donald (Bryanna) Borchert, and Caroline Chambers.  He later welcomed three great grandchildren, Mia, Everly, and Kieran.

Don lived a full, purposeful life and enjoyed a loving marriage of 68 years.  Don lived by these four "learned" life lessons:  Have faith in yourself, Do not be afraid to lose, Enjoy your life, and Count your blessings.

A special thank you to the staff that cared for our Dad, Comfort Keepers and Peaceful Pines Senior Living.  He was cared for with love, dignity and abundant kindness the last few years.

A funeral service will be held at Emmanuel Episcopal Church at 10:30 a.m. on December 5, 2024.  A Celebration of a Great Life will follow at Arrowhead Country Club from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  He will be laid to rest, with military honors, at the Black Hills National Cemetery at 3 p.m.

A memorial in Don's name may be made to the USD Law School Foundation, 1110 N. Dakota St., Vermillion, SD 57069.