Donald E. “Don” Shypkowski, 77, Dickinson, died Thursday, December 18, 2014 at Sanford Health, Bismarck. Don’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Monday, December 22, 2014 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Dickinson, with Msgr. Patrick Schumacher as the celebrant, and assisted by Deacon Jerry Volk. Burial will take place at the Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis, S.D. Military honors will follow the Mass and be provided by the Dickinson Honors Team. Visitation will be on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson, and will continue on Monday one hour prior to services at the church. There will be a rosary and vigil at 3 p.m., Sunday at Ladbury Funeral Service, with Deacon Jerry Volk presiding.
Donald Emil Shypkowski was born March 14, 1937, in Belfield, the son of John B. and Mary (Evoniuk) Shypkowski. He was raised and educated in Belfield, graduated from Belfield High School in 1955. Don joined the United States Navy and served honorably from October 31, 1955 to August 23, 1959.
He returned to Belfield, and on June 14, 1961, was united in marriage to Anna Mae Flack, at St. Charles Catholic Church, Bowman. Don began his career in the grocery business while he was in high school, and following his time in the military he went to work in Newell, S.D., in the grocery store. He then continued in the grocery business throughout various communities in North Dakota until the mid 1980’s. Don spent the next several years working in beer and candy sales along with driving cars for Sax Motors.
Don and Ann were members of St. Wenceslaus Parish, and he was a lifetime member of the Eagles. He loved to go fishing and camping with family and friends. He liked a good game of Gin Rummy with his friend Leo Haag, and playing marbles with his grandkids. He was very proud of his Navy days and loved to share his stories. In addition, he took great pride in his yard. Don enjoyed his children, grandchildren and great-grandchild.
Don is survived by his wife, Ann; three children, Ed (JoEllen) Shypkowski, Dickinson, Gary Shypkowski, Greenough, Mont., and Donna (Gery) Fichter, Rapid City, S.D.; nine grandsons, Jory, Jeremy, Jesse, and Jacob Shypkowski, Eric, Luke (Jorden), and Levi (fiancee-Ashlee) Shypkowski, Austin and Alex Fichter; one great-grandson, Noah Shypkowski; and one brother, John (Sharon) Shypkowski, Des Moines, Iowa. He is preceded in death by his parents; his brother and wife, Walt (Tillie) Shypkowski; and his sister and husband, Margie (Frank) Reisenauer.
