DONALD E. "DON" CALDERWOOD

Donald “Don” E. Calderwood, 88 of Devils Lake, formerly of rural Crary, ND passed away on Tuesday, October 6, 2015 at the Good Samaritan Center, Devils Lake, ND in the loving care of his family. Funeral Services for Don will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Devils Lake on Saturday, October 10, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Mindy Meier officiating. Burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Friday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and will continue at the church on Saturday one hour prior to the funeral service. Donald Eugene, son of Eugene Banta and Marie (Kirk) Calderwood was born on May 29, 1927 at Devils Lake. Don attended Odessa Country School through the 8th grade and graduated from Crary High School. He continued his education at NDSU and graduated in May of 1951 with a degree in Animal Science and Agronomy. Don spent his entire life on the family dairy farm, “Terrace Lawn Farm”, rural Crary. In the spring of 1951, Don returned to farm with his Dad. With a son home to help with the farming, Don’s parents semi-retired and would winter in Arizona. Don decided “being a bachelor” was not for him and one Sunday after church he decided to ask this beautiful young lady, who he had first met in 1952 at a Crary Congregational Church picnic, for a date. She said yes and love grew and marriage to A. Jeanette Bertsch followed on June 28, 1953 at the Crary Congregational Church. They celebrated over 62 years of a beautiful life together this summer. Now a third generation of Calderwoods would begin on the Calderwood Homestead. Don and Jeanette and the family worked side by side through the years. It wasn’t an easy life, but the rewards were great; good stewards of the land, time together as family, teaching and learning about the dairy, accepting the changes technology would bring and just being a part of the beauty of nature, caring and tending the cows and the newborn calves. What a proud time in the family when the Calderwood Homestead was now in the hands of the fourth generation. Don felt each day, no matter what challenge he would face, was a blessing to him. Spare time was almost non-existent, but Don was always very active in the community and very civic minded. He served on the Odessa Township Board as a clerk and treasurer for 55 years, was Chairman of the Crary School Board for seven years, served on the North Dakota Dairy Promotion Board and as a Farm Bureau Member he sang in the Farm Bureau Men’s Chorus at many community events. He was a very active member of the Crary Congregational Church until it closed and the family joined Westminster Presbyterian Church in Devils Lake and served as an Elder for many years. He also was active and enjoyed membership in the Odd Fellows. As a young boy, Don was a member of the CKDC 4-H Club and won many ribbons showing cattle. He continued in showmanship while at NDSU and was the recipient of many state and national titles. He knew the value of 4-H in his life, so Don was the CKDC 4-H Club leader for over 50 years. You could never slow Don down. After all day milking cows, he found such pleasure and comradery as a member of the Prairie Partners Square Dance Club. He and Jeanette had been members since 1965 and danced their way throughout the Midwest and even into Canada. But what was always Don’s priority-his family and he and Jeanette spent many hours traveling to watch their grandchildren participate in all of their activities. Don, a man of faith, a farmer and devoted husband and loving father and grandfather. We shall miss you each day but will strive to be just as hard-working, as loving, kind and gentle as you were in your lifetime. Don is survived by his beloved Jeanette; sons David and June Calderwood, Casselton, ND, Ralph Calderwood and Lee and Dianne Calderwood all of Crary; daughter Marie and Steve Jacobson, Devils Lake; grandchildren Matthew Calderwood, Vancouver, BC, Nichole (Scott) Sommers, Bismarck; Tyler Calderwood, Crary, Brooke Calderwood, Devils Lake, Leanne (Pat) Tronson, Doyon, ND, Shasta (Mike) Held, Mandan; Grant Jacobson, Grand Forks; five great grandchildren Hartley, Harper, Lindsey, Zander and Adley; many nieces and nephews. Don was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Ryan Calderwood; brothers George, Russell and Willis Calderwood and sister Becky Stave. Serving as Casket Bearers will be Don’s grandchildren Matthew, Nichole, Tyler, Brooke, Leanne, Shasta and Grant. Music will be provided by Lynda Pearson and Tom Wade.