Born to Emil and Bessie (Whitebread) Trohkimoinen in Deadwood, South Dakota. He had an older sister, Hazel.
He went to elementary school at Whitewood Country School. His family then moved to the Vale area. Don began farming with his father at a very young age. At the age 14, his father became very ill and Don had to quickly learn how to manage the family farm. He asked his neighbor, Joe Crockford for guidance to learn the ins and outs of farming. With Joe’s help he managed to keep the farm going.
Don then graduated high school in 1961 and he married his high school sweetheart, Bobbie Jean Duprel on June 14, 1964. Don and Bobbie moved a home onto the farm that Don was farming with his father, and there they raised their family. He continued to farm several farms in the Vale area until the summer before he passed. He gained many mentors and friends through the years of farming and eventually became a mentor to others. Don and Bobbie have lived in that same home they built together in the 60’s.
Don was a devoted father to Darron and Carla, and to his grandchildren and great granddaughter. His second great grandchild will be born any day now. Don enjoyed spending time with his family, and watching the sporting events of his children and grandchildren.
In his younger years, Don and Bobbie enjoyed team roping and snowmobiling. He eventually learned to golf, but we believed he liked socializing on the golf course more than he liked to golf. Don taught every one of his kids and grandkids to play cribbage, and he and Bobbie played several games of cribbage every day. In his last couple weeks, he skunked Carla in their last game of cribbage! Don also enjoyed playing poker with friends and his wife Bobbie. Don and Bobbie always had at least 1 dog, and usually 2. All dogs loved Don, and he loved them too! Gibbs and Jinx are really going to miss him.
Don never met a stranger. More than anything he liked to visit with friends, new and old.
Don had a heart for service to his community. He volunteered with the Vale Fire Department where he served as fire chief for several years. He served on the Vale Cemetery board. Don served on the ASCS (soil conservation) board for several years and served 20 years on the West River Telephone board of directors. During his years of service, he gained friendships that he enjoyed until his passing.
Don was preceded in death by his father and mother Emil and Bessie Trohkimoinen, his father-in-law and mother-in-law Walt and Lola Duprel and brothers-in-law Wilbur Knaub and Jerry Duprel.
He is survived by his wife Bobbie Trohkimoinen of Vale, his sister Hazel (Don) Robinson, his son Darron Trohkimoinen of Vale, his daughter Carla (Chris) Mumm of Deadwood, his grandchildren Jordan (Bryce) Nepstad of Fargo, ND, Taylor (Zach) Olson of Spearfish, SD, Erin (Cole) Hasquet of Bozeman, MT, Alex Trohkimoinen of Savannah, GA, Taava Cooper (special friend Ryan) of Omaha, NE, Ty (Julie) Cooper of Rapid City, SD, Aaron Mumm (special friend Morgan) of Ames, IA, his great granddaughter Lany Nepstad of Fargo, ND and Baby Olson coming any day, and his nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made out to the Vale Cemetery or Vale Community Center.
There will be a visitation on Monday, 4/7/25 from 5pm-7pm at Kinkade Funeral Chapel. The funeral service will be on Tuesday, 4/8/25 at Kinkade Funeral Chapel at 10am with burial to follow at the Vale Cemetery.
