Donald “Don” Wanner, 86, Dickinson, died peacefully at his home surrounded by family, on Friday, January 3rd, 2025. Don’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, January 11, 2025 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Dickinson, with Msgr. Thomas Richter as celebrant and Fr. Russ Kovash con-celebrating. Inurnment will follow at the Dickinson Mausoleum. Visitation will be on Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson, with a rosary and vigil at 7 p.m. with Deacon Leonard Krebs presiding. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the Mass at the church on Saturday.
Don was born in Dickinson on April 24th, 1938 to Pete and Rose (Klein) Wanner. He was raised on a small farm Southeast of Dickinson. He attended a one room schoolhouse for grade school and later Gladstone High School, Dickinson State University, and The University of Boulder in Colorado. Don began his career as a yard laborer for Heaton Lumber Company, where he rapidly accelerated in the business and worked his way up to office manager. He later became manager of the Dickinson Chamber of Commerce during a particularly tough time for the Chamber and Don was welcomed on his first day with a stack of bills and an empty bank account. Knowing the importance of a thriving local Chamber he grabbed his hat and went door to door down Villard to ask business leaders to donate to the Chamber. One of Don’s proudest achievements occurred after he was approached by a local business owner about the lack of activities in Dickinson over the 4th of July holiday. This led to the development of the Roughrider Days Fair and Expo. Don later realized that he wanted to be a business owner himself. Don became co-owner of Home Insurance and Realty, Owner of Prairie Insurance Agency, and Co-owner of The Wald Agency, which later became part of American Insurance.
While Don was a successful businessman, he was also very proud of his family. On May 27th, 1958, Don married Jean Barta at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Dickinson. To this union three children were born: Connie, Kevin, and Michelle. In 1988 Don and Jean acquired an old farmhouse and land south of Gladstone. Don spent many hours here perfecting his green thumb, hunting, spending time with nature and enjoying time with his family. He was very proud of his tree rows and the animals that resided on his land. He was an amateur meteorologist, often predicting weather more accurately than the local news stations. Don and Jean were their grandchildren’s biggest sports supporters. They were known to arrive at the gymnasium before any teams had even arrived. Don was also very generous with his spare time. He was involved in the Jaycees, Dickinson Area Home Builders, United Way, Lions Club, Knights of Columbus, Stark County Development Corporation, Republican Party, West River Community Center Fundraising Committee, ND Chamber of Commerce, and ND Professional Insurance Agent Committee, among many other organizations. During this time, he received many awards including the Jaycee Distinguished Service Award and the ND Professional Insurance Agent of the Year.
Don is survived by his wife of 66 years, Jean and; his brother, Raymond (Sharon) Wanner; his children, Connie (Mike) Booke, Kevin (Deb) Wanner, and Michelle Wanner; grandchildren, Travis (Sara) Booke, Amanda (Nick) Seaver, Ashley Wanner, Zach Wanner, Kaitlyn (fiancé, Austin Hartman) Wanner; great-grandchildren, Logan, Addison, Payton, and Morgan Seaver, and Brenna Booke.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Pete and Rose; and brothers, Marvin, and Norman Wanner.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Bismarck Cancer Center and CHI Health at Home Hospice in Don’s name. We are forever grateful for the love, care, and support of Don during his cancer battle.
