Donald Duane Ganssle was born June 19, 1938 in Grafton, North Dakota, the son of the late Garfield and Ella (Dietrich) Ganssle. He graduated from St. Thomas High School and attended the University of North Dakota and Aaker’s Business College. Donald was united in marriage to Sharon Lunde on October 20, 1958 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, St. Thomas, North Dakota. The couple made their home in Crookston, St. Thomas, California for seven years, Minot for two years and settled in St. Thomas, where they farmed and raised their family. The couple wintered in Alamo, Texas for the last 26 years.
He was a member of the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, St. Thomas, ND, he was an Elder at the church for 50 years, was a St. Thomas Booster, served on the St. Thomas School Board and the Crystal Co-op. Donald loved to be with his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He enjoyed hunting, golfing, woodworking, having coffee at the café in the mornings and watching western’s on tv.
Donald is survived by his daughters: Susan (Rick) Bigwood, St. Thomas, ND; Cindy (Roger) Littlejohn, St. Thomas, ND; his grandchildren: Kayla (Doug) Skramstad, Chad (Valerie) Bigwood, Amanda “Mandy” Littlejohn, Ethan (Amanda) Littlejohn; seven great grandchildren; his sister, Deanna (Jerry) Loreth, Breckenridge, MN; sister-in-law, Linda Ganssle, Park River, ND. Several nieces and nephews also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Sharon, brother Fred Ganssle and sister Marlys Stark.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at 2:00 P.M. at the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, St. Thomas, ND. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at the St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery.