Donald Robert Kivimaki was born July 19, 1934, at his grandparent's home west of Newell, SD, on Horse Creek to Lillie (Piekkola) and Nestor Kivimaki. He grew up north east of Newell in the Twilight area. He attended grade school at the Karinen School and then attended high school in Newell for two years. Due to his mother's death, he dropped out to help at home.

He was self-taught as he would read a lot. He was able to fix most anything along with all kinds of equipment through the years. In the neighborhood, he was called Dr. Don and many called for his help.

He was a member of the Moose Lodge for several years. He was also a County Commissioner for one term of four years.

He married Arvilla Viken September 18, 1955, and they lived in Rapid City where he worked for Winston Olson in landscaping until they moved south of Newell in 1956 and worked for Don Engelson at Valley Implement in Newell December 1957, they moved back to the home place where he and his brother and dad farmed and raised cattle and sheep. In 1960, he went into partnership with his brother, Elmer, and they ran the Kivimaki Brothers until Elmer's death in April 1988. Then he and Arvilla went in as partners and they farmed until selling the place and moving to Spearfish in 2001.

Don passed away December 20, 2016, at the David M. Dorsett Healthcare Facility in Spearfish, SD.

Survivors include his wife, Arvilla; daughter, Gail (Dale) Knutson, Vale, SD; son, Douglas, Phoenix, AZ; two grandchildren, Amanda Knutson, Lubbock, TX, and Karl Knutson, Vale, SD; and several nieces and nephews.

His parents; two brothers, Elmer and Jack; two sisters, Virginia Sprouse and Leona Lewton; and an infant son preceded him in death.

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