SCHREIBER, Donald "Papa Don" George (July 19, 1934 - July 9, 2017)

Donald Schreiber, loving husband, father, granddad, great-granddad and general good guy, lost his

long-time battle with his health ten days shy of his 83rd birthday. This irked him on several levels as

it caused him to miss his 65th class reunion at Chamberlain High School, two granddaughters' birthdays, and his own upcoming "surprise" party. Despite that, he passed peacefully on his own terms, surrounded by his loving family.

He is survived by his "first wife" of 55 years, Arlis, his "favorite son," Dave (Gigi), his "number one" daughter, Kayla Cox (Jason), his grandsons Josh, Zac, Jake, Matt, and Ian, his granddaughters Adrian, Ariel, and Falon, and his great-grandsons Braylen, Jesse, Taevion, and his "best buddy," baby Will. He was preceded in death by his father Walter, his mother Kathryn (Mashek), his sister Lozetta Stanton, his brothers Walter Jr. and Lowell "Babe" as well as many other beloved friends and family with whom he looked forward to making mischief again.

Don made his first appearance in 1934 in Fairfax, South Dakota where, if he could be believed, he spent a fairly idyllic childhood. His family moved to Chamberlain at the beginning of his second grade and Don finished his schooling there, graduating from Chamberlain High in 1952.

Although he attended Southern State College for a while, Don got his true education in the Navy. He served for four years and, when he was discharged in 1958, he was able to parlay the skills he had learned into a job as the television repair expert for Golden Home Furnishings in Rapid City.

It was in Rapid that Donald reacquainted himself with Arlis Weiland, once the bubbly little sister of a high school classmate then grown into a charming young woman. They shared a hometown, a passion for pool, a zest for life, and an abiding love for each other. Don and Arlis married in February of 1962 and both of them thought they got the best end of the bargain.

In 1965, Don once again put his service training to good use when he agreed to work for the South Dakota Department of Emergency and Disaster Services. He was often called away from home to help during crises such as floods, fires, storms, snows, etc. He continued to work emergency situations for the next 30 years, earning several plaques, commendations, and awards along the way.

Don played a mean game of pool, routinely placing in state tournaments. His greatest achievements, however, weren't for civic duty, prowess at billiards, or unswerving work ethic; in fact they weren't even his alone. In 1967, Don and Arlis became the proud parents of a bouncing baby boy. Four years later, they followed this act with a beautiful baby girl around whose little finger Don was wrapped from the start. Nearly fifty years later, Don was still as openly proud of and loving with his kids as he was when they were babes-in-arms.

Donald Schreiber was a truly extraordinary ordinary man. He enjoyed making and fixing things, had a talent for woodworking and a respect for recipes. He loved fishing with his son, watching the Broncos with his wife and spending time with his daughter. He listened to a wide and unexpected variety of music from big band and Jim Reeves to Souza marches, Hawaiian songs, and reggae tunes. In recent days, he enjoyed nothing so much as basking in the sun watching the great-grandkids play.

Don was a cheerful man with a good sense of humor, but at the same time, he was nobody's fool. He didn't draw unnecessary attention to himself, didn't dwell on the negative things in his life, just gave thanks for all the "blessings" he perceived and did his best to share the good things in his life with those around him. He taught by example and deed, rather than intention and word.

He is loved. He will be sorely missed.

Visitation will be held the evening of Thursday, July 13th from 7:30 – 9:00 pm at the Osheim Funeral Home as well as for an hour before the funeral. Services will be held at the South Park United Church of Christ at 11am Friday, July 14th. Luncheon will follow.  Burial will take place at 2:30pm at the Black Hills National Cemetery with military honors in Sturgis, SD.

Don was a jeans and t-shirt kind of guy who preferred comfort over formality. Please feel free to wear jeans or other appropriate casual dress to any or all of his memorial services.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been set up in Don's name for Youth and Family Services.

Friends may sign his online guest register at www.osheimschmidt.com.