Donald Brickman

Funeral services for Donald Brickman were held on Monday, July 25, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Winner, SD, with Pastor Royal Archer officiating. Jim Halverson gave the eulogy.

Music was provided by Jim Halverson, Norma Olson was in charge of registration, and James and Teresa Mathis were flower attendants. Casket bearers were Brandon Brickman, Carter Brickman, Coy Brickman, Matthew Reu, Butch Mitchell, Jack Mitchell, John Jones, and Kevin Meiners. Honorary casket bearers were all of Don’s friends and family.

Interment was in the Winner City Cemetery in Winner, SD. Kotrbra-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Don was born on August 4, 1941, to Robert and Alma (Brost) Brickman in Gregory, SD. He joined brother DeWayne and sister Geraldine.

Don grew up in Winner and attended Winner High School where he met Eva Jean Hansen. While in high school, he played football; his senior year, he was voted most representative and was on the 2nd Team All-State squad as a fullback. In recent years, Don and Rocky Jones reconnected, and they would frequently reminisce about their football days. Also during his high school days, he drove truck, usually hauling livestock.

Don and Eva Jean got married on September 16, 1961. They moved to the Denver area for a couple of years before moving back to South Dakota. They moved back to the farm that Eva Jean was raised on, and Don was a farmer/rancher from that time on. He worked side by side with his father-in-law Elvis Hansen, son Brett, and grandsons Carter and Coy. In 1963, they welcomed Bryan to the family, and then in 1966 Brett. Don actively participated in the daily operations of the farm until 2010 when his hips and knees gave him issues. Though he was physically slowed, he was never not involved in the day-to-day operations, even until his last days.

Though work was an important part of his life, he did have other interests. Don and Eva Jean were very good dancers. He also liked playing cards, particularly pitch. There was a time when a few of the neighbor men would get together once a month, taking turns hosting a hot poker game. He also enjoyed going to the horse races in Fort Pierre, and he still enjoyed watching horse races on TV up to the end.

In the 70s, he raced a hobby stock car in Winner. He was always at or near the top of the points standings, and there is a basement full of trophies to prove it. He also helped coach Bryan and Brett’s basketball teams when they were in grade school.

Don and Eva Jean really enjoyed bowling, but that came to a halt when the boys got into high school. They would rarely miss any of their sporting events, home or away, though some of those trips were to Flandreau, Eagle Butte, Mobridge, and Pine Ridge. After the boys graduated, they resumed their bowling. They also played golf for a number of years.

Donald LeRoy Brickman, 80, of Carter, passed away on Wednesday, July 20, 2022, in Winner, SD.

Don is survived by his son Bryan (Julie) of Harrisburg, SD; daughter-in-law LaVonne of Carter, SD; grandchildren Brandon, Brittany (James Woods), Bryanna, Carter, Coy Brickman, Cassie Rogers, and Matthew Reu; three great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law Sharon Hansen and Betty and David Porter; and several nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife Eva Jean, son Brett, his parents, siblings, and mother and father-in-law Betty and Elvis Hansen.