Donald James Yali, Sr.

Donald J. Yali, Sr. Warwick, ND, lived a goodly 64 years on the Earth and called Warwick, ND home before his death on Thursday, March 30, 2006, at MeritCare Hospital in Fargo, ND. Mass of Christian Burial for Don will be held on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake. Fr. Joseph Christensen will celebrate the Mass and burial will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery. In order to pay last respects and visit Don, you may come to the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Monday from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Tuesday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Pallbearers for their friend Don will be Chuck Nelson, Pat Daniels, Barry Geske, Paul Kraft, Craig Estenson and Alfred “Baldy” Herman. Don had many friends who walked beside him in this life and they are all his honorary Pallbearers, on this last journey. It was on May 7, 1941, that Donald James Yali came into this world, a kickin’ and a screamin’, in Aberdeen, SD. His father, Jacob, and his mother, Helen (Kelsch) Yali, moved with him to Devils Lake, while he was still wet behind his ears. Don’s education started out at St. Mary’s Academy, and continued on at the school of life. Don was a man defined by his work ethic. When a job needed to be done, and done right, Don was the man to call. Don worked hard at what ever he did, where ever he was; from Seattle to Devils Lake. Don was truly a jack-of-all-trades, and a master of most. A man who was not afraid to speak his mind, and who had a quick wit, he could keep someone thinking, as well as, laughing when you were in his company. When you were in his company it was usually on the quiet streets of Warwick. No matter where Don was, that siren song of the small town of Warwick, lured him home. It was a place in which his nearest neighbor was a comfortable distance way down the road. And it suited him just fine. Don reveled in old tunes and old cars and fish every where trembled when he cast his line into the water. He could dance his way around a juke box and a pool table. Don’s time spent with Jane Lamrose were stories of legend to family and friend alike. When together, even later, as good friends, they could keep the party rollin’ with no effort at all. Their children and grandchildren together understand just what good friends, good food, and good times can do to enrich your life. Don was the kind of man that knew this life on this Earth was worth the price of admission, and must be experienced to its fullest. Don’s surviving family include: brothers, John “Huntz” Yali and Frank J. Yali of Devils Lake; sister, Christine Paulson of Silver Lake, Minnesota; son, Kevin Yali of Devils Lake and his mother, Helen Rubbelke, son, Donald J. Yali Jr of Fargo; daughters, Misty Yali of Fargo and Heather Wells of Seattle, Washington and step-daughter, Carla Carmona of St. Michael, ND. Grandchildren: David and Daniel Yali, Daylin St. Pierre and Xavier Balboa. Also surviving are several nieces, nephews and extended family who include, Jane Lamrose, Sandra Miller, Tammy Robertson and Elaine Robertson. Don was preceded in death by his beloved parents and brother, Jacob Yali Jr. His community of family and friends will miss him deeply. God bless you Koda and God speed. Friends may sign the online register book at www.gilbertsonfuneralhome.com