Donald James Walton

Attend the service online via video at Facebook on the Crawford Valley Plainview United Methodist Church Page.

Donald J. Walton, loving husband of 75 years and father of 4 children, passed away at the age of 94, Sunday April 26 ^th , 2020 of Covid-19 at Good Samaritan Village, in Sioux Falls, SD.

Don was born on May 22, 1925 in Winnetoon, NE to ­­Floyd and Adeline (Janna) Walton.  He graduated from Winnetoon High School in 1943. On March 29, 1945 he married Ruby Ickler in Creighton.  Don & Ruby lived and farmed south of Plainview and raised 4 children, Donnie, Susan, Judy, & Gary.  In 1978, Don & Ruby moved their home to Plainview, but Don continued to farm south of town. In 2014, they moved to Sioux Falls, SD, where their daughter Judy, could help care for them.

Don was a farmer, school bus driver, Archer oil and Cargill seed salesman for many years. He was an active volunteer in the Plainview Social Center. He also enjoyed horseback riding and teaching all his children and grandchildren how to ride. He donated blood religiously, and he could switch seamlessly from a rowdy school bus, to a tiny Volkswagen Beetle, or back to a horse, and enjoy every minute of every ride.  The most important job to him though, was likely being the best husband, brother, father, grandfather, and friend.  Don is the true epitome of the word patriarch.  Head of the Walton family, he took this role seriously, trusting in God, protecting his flock, working hard both steadfast and selflessly in everything, being kind and humble towards others and loving everyone unconditionally.  To know Don was to love him, respect him, appreciate him, and be better yourself, because of him.

He was a faithful member of Stark Valley Methodist Church until its end. At that time, he became a member of the United Methodist Church in Plainview. Don would be one of the first ones to help any neighbor or friend that needed help. He was a teacher of all things farming, especially to his grandsons Tim, Shane and Brad, who helped him many summers on the farm.

A small family funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, Thursday, April 30 at the United Methodist Church, in Plainview, Nebraska.  Reverend Mark Crist will be officiating.  Viewing will be from 9-10am, Thursday, April 30 ^th at the United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery in Plainview.  Due to Covid-19, there will be strict guidelines of no more than 10 people at a time for the viewing and funeral. Therefore, there will be an option to attend the service online via video at Facebook on the Crawford Valley Plainview United Methodist Church Page.

Don is survived by his wife Ruby of 75 years,  3 children, son Don and his wife Jean of Asheville, NC,  daughter Judy and husband Gary of Sioux Falls, SD, son Gary and his wife Charity of Rapid City, SD,  9 grandchildren, Angie & Mark Gleason of Westfield, IN, Michelle & Darren Cady of Arden, NC, Shane & Karen Andersen of Brookings, SD, Shari & Mary Anderson-Connor of Santa Rosa Beach, FL, Melissa & Scott Plemmons of Waxhaw, NC, Cindy & Rick Watson of Fort Worth, TX, Brandon Walton of Rapid City, SD, and Brad & Brenda Walton of Bogota, Colombia, 18 great grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Adeline, brothers, Loren, Ivan, and Merlyn, daughter Susan, grandson Timothy Thompson, son-in-law Grayling Andersen, and daughter-in-law Cathy Walton.

In lieu of flowers, any donations would be welcome to the Plainview Social Center or the Plainview United Methodist Church.

Judy Brooks                                              Don Walton                                              Gary Walton

3308 West Norie Place                              16 Elkhorn Court                                        3715 Chief Dr.

Sioux Falls, SD. 57106                              Mills Rivwer, NC. 28759                              Rapid City, SD. 57701