Don was born July 28, 1927 at Dayton, OH, to Richard and Juanita (Higgins) Common. He attended school and then traveled west. He enlisted in the US Army and after his honorable discharge he returned to the Rapid City area where he found work on a local ranch.

Don married Alta Gage at Rapid City on October 11, 1949. They lived in Rapid City and several other states. Don was employed in the building trades as a drywaller. He retired in 1985 and the couple made their home in Vale. They operated a nursing home until 1996.

Don enjoyed working and he loved to garden, fix old tractors, and work on cars. He was also a self taught organist and enjoyed playing.

Survivors include his wife Alta, Vale; two sons Jerry (Mary) Common, Emmett, ID, Richard Common, Emmett, ID; three daughters, Judy (Stan) Gause, St. Helens, OR, Jane Smeenk, Vale, Rita (Dan) McGee, Gillette, WY; two half brothers, Doug (Shirleen) Common, Dayton, OH, Kent (Pat) Common, Dayton, OH; one aunt, Irene Pearson, Dayton, OH; 17 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one son Greg and one brother, Richard.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis with Pastor Harold Delbridge officiating. Burial follows at the Chalk Butte Cemetery near Union Center.

A memorial has been established to the Hospice Unit at Fort Meade.