Obituary - Donald William Stetson

Donald William Stetson passed away July 26, 2018, at home in Kalispell, Montana, following an extended illness.

Don was born November 27, 1927, in Hazen, North Dakota, to Irene and Ora Stetson. The family lived in North Dakota on a dairy farm until they moved to Goldendale, Washington. This move was followed by a further move to Kittitas, Washington. In Kittitas, Don played basketball while attending Kittitas High School. After graduation in 1945, Don joined the Merchant Marines.

On return from his service in the Merchant Marines, Don attended Central Washington College in Ellensburg. On August 12, 1949, Don married Patricia Powers in Ellensburg at the Presbyterian Church. While attending Central Washington, he played basketball and studied Education. Their first son, Scott Orie, was born in August 1950. In 1952, Don and family moved to Los Angeles, California where he attended California College of Mortuary Science. While in Los Angeles, he was active in the community, playing basketball and baseball.

Following graduation from the College of Mortuary Science, Don returned to Spokane, Washington, where he was employed at Thornhill's Funeral Home in Spokane Valley. He later joined Hazen and Jaeger Funeral Homes in Spokane and the Valley.

Susan May and Kirk Bradley were born to Don and Pat while they lived in Spokane Valley. Don was actively involved in Masons, and was a past master of the Order of Masons, as well as past patron of Eastern Star. He also was a dad advisor to a Valley DeMolay group. In addition, he was involved in the community, coaching and playing sports. Don enjoyed working with his hands, building a boat, which became the center of many family outings and camping trips to the Columbia River and many lakes in the area.

In 1969, Don and his family moved to Havre, Montana, where he became a partner in the Holland & Bonine Funeral Home. His compassion and caring for those he served in his community went with him everywhere and in everything he touched. Don was a devoted husband and father to his family. He coached baseball and attended every game his sons played. His daughter was his special princess. Don was actively involved in the Havre Presbyterian Church, and in the Havre Rotary Club, where he was a past president.

After retiring from the funeral home, he and his wife, Pat, opened Stetson's Custom Frame Shop in Havre, which allowed him to use his wood working skills, and together with his wife they built a life and business serving the Havre community for eleven years.

In 1993, Don and his wife, Pat, moved to Village Greens in Kalispell, Montana, where they built their retirement home, and where he enjoyed retirement with family and friends.

Don is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Patricia Stetson; his children Scott Stetson, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada, Susan Stetson Johnston (Scot), Mount Vernon, WA and Kirk Stetson (Lori), Colorado Springs, Colorado; and his brother Lloyd Stetson 0f San Diego, California.

He is also survived by his grandchildren, Shawn Stetson, Mark Stetson, Cara Stetson Reck, Cameron Johnston, Domenic Easton, Megan Collins-Schaber, 11 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews family and friends.

Don was predeceased by his parents, Irene and Ora Stetson; his brothers Robert and Russ Stetson; his sister, Marge Stetson Eastburn, and daughter-in-law Sharon Stetson.

The interment service will be held in Ellensburg, WA, At the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in September.

Friends are encouraged to visit our website at http://www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolences for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.