Red Lake Falls - Donald Ste. Marie, 76, died Monday, October 26, 1998 at Pioneer Memorial Home in Erskine.
Mass of Christian burial was held on Friday, October 30 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls with Father Tim Bushy officiating. Gemma Drees was the organist, and Darla Huot was the soloist. Special vocal music was provided by St. Joseph Church Choir. Mike Ste. Marie was the reader. Casketbearers were Donald's grandsons: Erik, Matt, Michael, Christopher, Dominic and Chad Ste. Marie and Chad Cota. His granddaughters were the honorary casketbearers: Melissa, Michaela, MacKenzie, Jill and Kelli Ste. Marie and Rachel Cota. Burial was in the St. Anthony Catholic Cemetery in Terrebonne. The Petterson Funeral Home of Red Lake Falls was in charge of the arrangements.
Donald Louis Ste. Marie was born on October 27, 1921 at Terrebonne, the son of Joseph W. and Emma (St. Yves) Ste. Marie. He was raised and attended school in Terrebonne. He graduated from the Northwest School of Agriculture in Crookston in 1940.
On April 12, 1945 he was united in marriage to Zola Haaland at Terrebonne. The couple lived and farmed in the Terrebonne area until retiring and moving into Red Lake Falls in 1982.
Don served as a county commissioner for eight years, on the Hillcrest Nursing Home board for eight years and on the Red River Valley Development board for 25 years. Currently he was serving on the Bray-Gentilly Insurance Company board of directors.
He enjoyed and attended school sporting events, delivered meals on wheels and was active in the Knights of Columbus and Catholic Order of Foresters. Donald and Zola were selected for the Valley Farmer and Homemaker award in 1964 at the Red River Valley Winter Shows. In 1996 Don was named Outstanding Senior Citizen. He was also a member of Afran and the Red Lake County Saddle Club.
Donald is survived by his wife, Zola of Red Lake Falls; five sons, Michael (Susan) Ste. Marie of Fargo, ND, Stephen (Karen) Ste. Marie of Bloomington, Alan (Jeannette) Ste. Marie, David (Vicki) Ste. Marie of Red Lake Falls; and Kenneth (Patty) Ste. Marie of Fargo, ND; one daughter, Kathryn (Michael) Cota of Moorhead; 13 grandchildren; two brothers, Reaume (Alyce) Ste. Marie of Seattle, WA and Richard (Patricia) Ste. Marie of Sonoma, CA; six sisters, Isabelle Korman of Bayport, Elise Ste. Marie of Seattle, WA, Harriet (Alver) Mehc of Richmond, Eraine (Walter) Schmidt of St. Paul, Lucy Higgins of Seattle, WA and Carole Vammen of Aberdeen, WA; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant sister, Lenore; and three brothers-in-law.