Donald Meyer

On November 29, 2023 Donald (Don) Meyer, age 67, died peacefully at the CHI St. Alexius Hospital in Devils Lake, ND after a hard-fought battle with cancer. He was surrounded by family and supported by so many members of his Devil’s Lake community in his last days.

Don was born April 16, 1956, to Wallace and Margaretta Meyer in Hillsboro, ND. He was raised on a farmstead outside of Hillsboro with his three younger brothers—John, James, and David. In 1974, he graduated from Hillsboro High School and married Sonja Rud. They raised three daughters; Holly, Kari, and Erin.

Don worked for local farmers in Traill County until he followed his heart and enrolled in and completed law enforcement training in Bismarck, ND. Completion of his training in 1990 marked the start of his long law enforcement career. In 1991, he and his family moved to LaMoure, ND. There, he spent the next decade as the Deputy Sheriff of LaMoure County. He finished his 30-year career in the law enforcement industry as a Senior Deputy in Ramsey County where he retired in 2020. He was a long-time advocate for children, was a Safe Alternatives for Abused Families (SAAF) board member, and championed many child advocacy programs. He touched the lives of many people in the communities he served. As an example of how good deeds are paid back, a woman Don rescued from a car rollover in the snow and ice during her pregnancy several years ago returned his kindness as she was his nurse during his final hospitalization.

Don was an avid fisherman, hunter, and gardener, contributing wildlife and produce to many family and friends. He was quick to offer a quart of his homemade sauerkraut or a bushel of apples to anyone he met. Some of his favorite memories were salmon fishing, hunting deer, waterfowl, elk, and wild boar. His passion was firearms; he was a hunter’s safety and firearms instructor for more than 35 years, fostering respect for and the love of hunting and shooting sports for hundreds across the state. In addition, Don participated in the North Dakota Peace Officers Association shooting competitions, which included the Governor’s 20 competition, for more than two decades. The firearm competition is designed to recognize the top 20 law enforcement shooters from each state. With his steady hand, proven stance, and hundreds of thousands of hours of practice, Don excelled in the competitions, took home many trophies, and was regularly named among the top in the state.

Don was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his best friend and loyal companion rescue dog Bob; his children Holly Meyer, West Fargo, ND, Kari (Keith) Zilmer, Fargo, ND, and Erin (Todd) Blotsky, West Fargo, ND; and his grandchildren Jake (Aren) Blotsky, Braden Meyer, Olivia Blotsky, Isaac Blotsky, Ivy Zilmer, Eli Meyer, and Opal Zilmer. He is also survived by his three brothers. 

Don loved joking around with his friends and family, understood the value of the proverbial “Dad joke”, and you knew he liked you if he teased you endlessly. He got many chuckles from the nursing staff at the oncology center as he maintained his good humor up until the end. He will be missed by all. God bless the memory of Don Meyer.

There will be a funeral service for Don on Monday, December 4, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake, ND