Don Schuster took his final flight on March 25th, 2025. He was home at his beloved Schuster farm, where he lived his whole life, with his entire family present. Don spent much of his lifetime either flying or farming. In his retirement years, he continued to enjoy both endeavors through his two sons. He was affectionately nicknamed “Bird” or “Grandpa Bird” by his wife, children, and grandchildren (as a nod to his love of aviation). Don lived a full 85 years and is surely soaring through the skies of Heaven.
Donald L. Schuster was born in Grafton, ND on March 26th, 1939. He was the youngest of five children born to Edward and Victoria (Misialek) Schuster. During his youth, he attended school at St. Anthony’s Convent in Warsaw, ND. In 1957, he graduated from the Park River Agricultural School. He was united in marriage to Wilene J. Kliniske on October 10th, 1969 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Grafton. Don was extremely proud of the four children that he and Wilene raised: a lawyer, a pilot, a professor, and a farmer.
At the age of fourteen, Don watched a PA-11 Cub spray a potato field and from that moment on, he knew he wanted to become a pilot. He began crop spraying for Hod Hutson of Grafton Aero Service in 1964. When Hod retired, Don purchased the business with Daryl Strong and Richard (Dick) Hardy and it became Dakota Aviation, Inc. In 1980, Don formed Don’s Aero Service, Inc. Together, he and Wilene managed Don’s Aero until 1991. The airport became a second home for Don and his family. During his aviation career, Don was a Piper and Cessna dealer. He also earned and maintained many certificates and ratings. These included a Commercial Pilot Certificate with single and multiengine land, rotocraft-helicopter, instrument airplane, and a Flight Instructor Certificate with single, multiengine, and instrument privileges. He taught his two sons how to fly along with numerous others.
Don also farmed for many years with his youngest son eventually joining him in the farming operation. He always enjoyed spring planting, checking the fields, and fall harvest. The farm was by far his favorite place to be.
In the earlier years of his life, Don served in the North Dakota National Guard and was a member of the Civil Air Patrol. He also enjoyed skydiving, snowmobiling, working on airplanes in his shop, and traveling. Many of his travels were with his high school friend, Jim Midgarden. His later years were spent enjoying his family (especially his grandchildren), driving the golf cart around the farmyard with Wy, spending time in his favorite recliner watching Gunsmoke, and sharing stories of the remarkable life that he lived. His family will miss his unique sense of humor and his invaluable knowledge and advice.
Don is survived by his devoted wife of more than 55 years, Wilene; his children: Rebecca (Jim) Nichol, West Fargo, ND, Darin (Stacy Culton) Schuster, New Castle, DE, Courtney (Chris) LaLonde, Fargo, ND, and Donovan (Jenn) Schuster, Grafton, ND; grandchildren: Sophia Nichol, Jack Nichol, and Caroline LaLonde; step-granddaughter Hailey Osowski; sister Louise Meis; sisters-in-law Sandy Normand, Toby McGregor, Jill (Greg) DeGeldere, Heidi (Mike) Fugazzi, and Penny (Rich) Altendorf; brother-in-law Steve (Luni) Kliniske and many nieces and nephews.
Don was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Stanley; his sisters, Connie and Denice; one sister-in-law; many brothers-in-law; one niece and several nephews.
The Schuster family would like to extend a very special thank you to Teri LaLonde for her compassion and expert medical care during Don’s last days. They would also like to thank the wonderful staff and nurses of Hospice- Red River Valley.
Funeral Mass will be held at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Warsaw, ND on Saturday, April 5th, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services. Military rites will be provided by the North Dakota National Guard Honor Guard.
The Tollefson Funeral Home of Grafton is in charge of the arrangements.
Donald L. Schuster was born in Grafton, ND on March 26th, 1939. He was the youngest of five children born to Edward and Victoria (Misialek) Schuster. During his youth, he attended school at St. Anthony’s Convent in Warsaw, ND. In 1957, he graduated from the Park River Agricultural School. He was united in marriage to Wilene J. Kliniske on October 10th, 1969 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Grafton. Don was extremely proud of the four children that he and Wilene raised: a lawyer, a pilot, a professor, and a farmer.
At the age of fourteen, Don watched a PA-11 Cub spray a potato field and from that moment on, he knew he wanted to become a pilot. He began crop spraying for Hod Hutson of Grafton Aero Service in 1964. When Hod retired, Don purchased the business with Daryl Strong and Richard (Dick) Hardy and it became Dakota Aviation, Inc. In 1980, Don formed Don’s Aero Service, Inc. Together, he and Wilene managed Don’s Aero until 1991. The airport became a second home for Don and his family. During his aviation career, Don was a Piper and Cessna dealer. He also earned and maintained many certificates and ratings. These included a Commercial Pilot Certificate with single and multiengine land, rotocraft-helicopter, instrument airplane, and a Flight Instructor Certificate with single, multiengine, and instrument privileges. He taught his two sons how to fly along with numerous others.
Don also farmed for many years with his youngest son eventually joining him in the farming operation. He always enjoyed spring planting, checking the fields, and fall harvest. The farm was by far his favorite place to be.
In the earlier years of his life, Don served in the North Dakota National Guard and was a member of the Civil Air Patrol. He also enjoyed skydiving, snowmobiling, working on airplanes in his shop, and traveling. Many of his travels were with his high school friend, Jim Midgarden. His later years were spent enjoying his family (especially his grandchildren), driving the golf cart around the farmyard with Wy, spending time in his favorite recliner watching Gunsmoke, and sharing stories of the remarkable life that he lived. His family will miss his unique sense of humor and his invaluable knowledge and advice.
Don is survived by his devoted wife of more than 55 years, Wilene; his children: Rebecca (Jim) Nichol, West Fargo, ND, Darin (Stacy Culton) Schuster, New Castle, DE, Courtney (Chris) LaLonde, Fargo, ND, and Donovan (Jenn) Schuster, Grafton, ND; grandchildren: Sophia Nichol, Jack Nichol, and Caroline LaLonde; step-granddaughter Hailey Osowski; sister Louise Meis; sisters-in-law Sandy Normand, Toby McGregor, Jill (Greg) DeGeldere, Heidi (Mike) Fugazzi, and Penny (Rich) Altendorf; brother-in-law Steve (Luni) Kliniske and many nieces and nephews.
Don was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Stanley; his sisters, Connie and Denice; one sister-in-law; many brothers-in-law; one niece and several nephews.
The Schuster family would like to extend a very special thank you to Teri LaLonde for her compassion and expert medical care during Don’s last days. They would also like to thank the wonderful staff and nurses of Hospice- Red River Valley.
Funeral Mass will be held at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Warsaw, ND on Saturday, April 5th, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services. Military rites will be provided by the North Dakota National Guard Honor Guard.
The Tollefson Funeral Home of Grafton is in charge of the arrangements.