Donald Eugene Dyck, 81, of Bessie, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully on November 3, 2020, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Donald was born December 21, 1938 to Bernhard J. and Lydia Keil Dyck in Cordell, Oklahoma. He was baptized on November 28, 1943. Donald attended Hatchett for a short time and then Bessie school until the 8 th grade, from there he went to Clinton where he graduated with the Class of 1956. From an early age, Donald began working for Keil-Schmidt Construction running a dozer before enlisting in the United States Army Reserve on March 4, 1961. He was stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri until receiving an Honorable Discharge on October 31, 1966. Donald farmed and raised cattle most of his life. His knowl edge of agriculture and soil conservation won him the Boggy Creek-Soil Stewardship Award in 1977. He also worked for the Washita County District 2 for 30 years until his retirement.
Donald was a family man and on March 21, 1964 he married Janice Duerksen and in this union, had a daughter, Shelley. Donald enjoyed volunteering through several organizations in the community, serving on the Farmers Cooperative Board for 10 years, Cordell School Board for 8 years, and after 20 years of service Donald retired with the Bessie Volunteer Fire Department. He always looked forward to working the annual Bessie Pan cake Suppers. Donald was a member of the Peace Lutheran Church, Bessie, Oklahoma where he served many years on the church council and as a youth group sponsor.
He will be deeply missed throughout the community. Donald stayed busy with AARP, attending the Country Jamborees, Germans from Russia meetings, tractor shows, having breakfast with the Class of 1956, and solving the world’s problems with the county line quick shop coffee crew. He always served others and loved to spend time with his family and most of all doing things with his grandsons.
Donald was preceded in death by his wife Janice, his parents, brother and sister-in-laws, Melvin and Aldene Duerksen, Monroe and Shirley Duerksen, Kenny Arthurs, and Roberta Duerksen. Donald is survived by his only daughter Shelley Bookout and husband Mark of Dill City; Sister, Anna Marie Lewis and husband Charles of Oklahoma City; brother and sister-in-laws, Leona Arthurs, Dillard Duerksen, Jay Duerksen and wife Karen all of Valley Center, Kansas; and two grandsons, Billy Jake Bookout of Bessie, Rusty Bookout and Jamie Coffin of The Colony, Texas, and many nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to Bessie Alumni, P.O. Box 33, Bessie, OK 73622.
A graveside service will be officiated by Pastor Jerry Lamb at the Peace Lutheran Church Cemetery, Bessie, Oklahoma, November 21, 2020, at 1:00 pm. under the direction of Kiesau-Lee Funeral Home.