Donald Walter Rumberger
Posted Aug 31, 2021 | 10:27 AM
Don Rumberger Jr. passed away peacefully surrounded by those who loved him on August 29, 2021.
Don was born August 16, 1952 in the Unity hospital to Don Rumberger Sr. and Olive (Rewerts) Rumberger while the family lived at Adanac. The family moved to Pangman, Pleasantdale, Estevan, and finally Naicam in 1962 where he completed his education. While living in Naicam, he honed his skills in many endeavours. He was known in northeast Saskatchewan for his athletic abilities in baseball, softball, hockey, curling, basketball, badminton, and volleyball. Later in life he took up golf and became quite adept at tossing clubs while managing to maintain a single digit handicap.
Speaking of tossing clubs, he was also skilled at using his goal stick to keep the front of his net clear. In baseball he was an extremely talented first baseman making his infielders look good by salvaging wayward balls thrown in the dirt. He probably would have won more golf tournaments if he and his youngest brother had taken it more seriously and stayed away from the parties!! He represented the Stettler Curling Club in provincial men’s curling, making it to the final eight.
On September 10, 1977, Don married Joie Andersen of Pleasantdale. To this union two daughters were born – Jaime (1981) and Jenna (1983). Don worked with his father at Rumberger Agencies until 1983, when Don moved his family to Stettler, Alberta to build a new Dairy Queen.
In 2000, Don reconnected with a past friend, Donna Ponath. They were together for the rest of his life. They subsequently purchased the Dairy Queen in Melfort, sold the Stettler Dairy Queen and made Melfort their home.
In 2003, Don and Donna, along with a number of other investors, joined a group led by his brother Rick to develop the Candle Lake Golf Resort. Over the next number of years, Don and Donna developed multiple properties in Candle Lake which assisted the growth of this resort.
In 2008, Don and Donna acquired property at Leisure World in Mesa, Arizona. This became their dream winter home. Don played an integral role in the Men’s Club and was a leader amongst the Canadians in the park. He started a tradition at the men’s club functions by singing “O Canada” whenever a Canadian won something.
The highlight of Don’s life were his two daughters and his grandchildren.
Don is survived by his loving partner Donna Ponath; his daughters Jaime (Darren) Trautman and their children Brandon, Tyler, Braelyn, and Caiden; Jenna (Nate) Chalaturnyk and their children Ivy and Nora; his mother Olive Rumberger; his siblings Rick (Linda); Pat; Garth (Cheryl); the mother of his children Joie Hagel; several nieces and nephews; and a multitude of friends in Canada and the US.
Don was predeceased by his father, Don Sr. in 2016.
Celebration of Life Service will be held at the Kerry Vickar Centre in Melfort on Thursday, September 2, 2021 at 2 p.m. followed by lunch and happy hour. The service will be recorded and added to the Fedusiak Funeral Chapel website. Don has requested donations be given to the Melfort Legion, Box 147, Melfort, Sask. S0E 1A0.
Rest in Peace Don.
To leave condolences for the Family, please visit the online guestbook at www.fedusiakfuneralchapel.com.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Fedusiak Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, Melfort. (306)752-3838.
- Date : 2021-08-29
- Location : Melfort, SK