DONALD GONDEIRO obituary

Donald Andrew Gondeiro, 77, of Havre, a farmer, rancher and Army veteran, died Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2005, of natural causes at Peace Hospice in Great Falls.

Visitation will be at Schnider Funeral Home from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and one hour before the 7 p.m. Sunday vigil service at

Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. The funeral liturgy will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, with burial following at Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Donald was born Jan. 30, 1928, in Great Falls to Andrew and Anna Gondeiro and was raised and educated in Waltham and Great Falls. He entered the army in 1952 and served in the 7th Calvary while stationed in Japan. After the military, Don farmed in the Cascade, Simms, Havre and Highwood area.

In 1957, Don married Betty Marko. They divorced in 1990.

Don enjoyed traveling, running the combine, Western polkas, visiting, hunting, fishing, auctions sales and attending his grandchildren's sports events. He loved to spend time with his companion Jetta McKinley. He was a member of the VFW, Moose Lodge, Eagles and Elks.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Donald is survived by his significant companion, Jetta McKinley of Havre; children, Kathy Reichelderfer of Bellefonte, Pa., Joyce Pearson of West Yellowstone, Janet Gondeiro of Beaverton, Ore., and Donald A. Gondeiro, Jr. of Highwood; sisters, Virginia Pedro of Great Falls and Darlene Wilkins of Great Falls; brothers, Glen Gondeiro of Sun Prairie and Dick Gondeiro of Raynesford; five grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Vicki Gondeiro; sons-in-law, Bret Pearson and Bob Reichlderfer; numerous nieces, nephews and many friends.

Memorials are suggested to the Gift of Life or Peace Hospice.

Schnider Funeral Home is handling arrangements.