Donald A. Stigen, 81, Fairfield, died on Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at his home with family by his side. Donald’s funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at Belfield Lutheran Church with Rev. Mike Pretzer officiating. Interment will take place at Belfield Lutheran Cemetery, with military flag presentation provided by the Belfield American Legion, William C. Blair Post 144. There will be a gathering of family & friends on Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service, and on Wednesday visitation will be one hour prior to services.
Donald Arvid Stigen was born at home along with his twin sister Doris Arlene on December 4, 1937 to Vic and Amy Stigen. Donald, along with his sisters attended Fairfield School. Later, Vic and Amy moved the family to Medora so the children could attend high school. Vic took a janitor job that his children helped him with after school.
After graduation, Donald along with his father, Vic, worked for the state highway department until he was called to serve his country. After his service to his country, Don worked on hotel construction in Medora, and then for Swartz and Oberlander Construction along with Junior Sauvageau.
He met the love of his life Sharleen Joyce Sauvageau. They began dating and were united in marriage on a rainy day, July 2, 1966 at Saint Bernard’s Catholic Church in Belfield. They live in Belfield briefly before moving back home to the Ranch in Fairfield. Sharleen taught school, and together they ran the ranch while raising their three children Justin, Carol, and Laura.
Donald loved his family fiercely; his ranch was his life. Donald enjoyed the company of friends and family. He also loved trapping, hunting coyote, fishing, making hay in the summertime, drinking coffee, and doing crossword puzzles with his dog Kobe by his side. Donald will be deeply and sorely missed by friends and family who loved him.
Donald was preceded in death by his father Vic, mother Amy, sister Beverly Northrup, brother-in-law Ward Northrup, brother-in-law Donald Wyckoff, father-in-law Emil Sauvageau, mother-in-law Kathleen Sauvageau, and brother-in-law Tom Sauvageau.
Donald is survived by his wife Sharleen; their children, Justin Stigen, Carol Stigen and her husband Dennis Koffler, Laura Sadowsky and her husband David Sadowsky; his sisters, Phyllis Wyckoff and Doris Myers along with her husband Roy Myers; and his grandchildren, Amy Kathleen Koffler, Nathan David Sadowsky, Robert Donald Sadowsky, Abigail Marie Sadowsky, and Sophia Ann Sadowsky.
