Donald L. Pittman, January 27, 1950 • May 25, 2022
Donald L. Pittman, 72, of DeGraff, Minnesota died Wednesday morning, May 25, 2022, at the Swift County Benson Hospital. Visitation was held Tuesday, May 31, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in DeGraff, and continued Wednesday, June 1, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m.
Donald Leslie Pittman was born January 27, 1950, in Benson, Minnesota, the son of Phaen and Dorothy (Iler) Pittman. He grew up in rural DeGraff-Murdock area and attended school in Murdock, Minnesota. Donald served his country by enlisting in the United States Army. He completed two tours in Vietnam from 1969 to 1972.
May 1, 1974, Donald was united in marriage to the love of his life Irma Laura Fredrick in Milbank, South Dakota. Together they were able to share in over 48 years of marriage. They made their home in DeGraff where he and Irma raised their four children. He was an owner operator over the road truck driver until 1994. After he sold his truck he went to work driving truck on road construction until his retirement. He enjoyed being laid off in the winters and kept in contact with all his work buddies and he always enjoyed going back to work to see them.
Donald loved to be around his family and friends. He was a jokester who loved to play pranks and tease his kids, especially his grandkids. He loved to make people smile and laugh. Donald loved feeding people no matter what time of the day or night, especially the cops when they would stop by during our family gatherings. He was the life of the party and always loved hosting family and friends gatherings. He also enjoyed weekly Wednesday trips to Maynard to spend time with and play pull tabs with Joan and Roger Barrett and he enjoyed going to “Comedy Hour” on Saturday mornings at the DeGraff Liquor Store with his lifelong friend Jerry Schafer. Donald has friends all over, he touched so many lives, and was truly loved by so many. He was called from this life on Wednesday, morning May 25, 2022, at the Swift County Benson Hospital.
Donald is survived by his wife Irma of DeGraff, his children: Stephanie (Dennis) Reinke of DeGraff, Kristy (Ted) Kannegiesser of Clontarf, and Phaen (Lisa) Pittman of San Diego, California; seven grandchildren: Katlyn, Kamri, Kara, Ty, Ava, Carter, and Hudson; one great grandchild Emma and one great grandchild expected in September 2022; his siblings: Joan (Roger) Barrett of Clara City, Janet Marquardt of Benson, and Dianne (Jamie) Marquardt of Pasco, Washington; and several other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his son Jesse Pittman, his parents Phaen and Dorothy, a sister Donna Mae Ostendorf, and several brothers and sisters-in-law, and one niece and two nephews. Blessed be his memory.
Zniewski Funeral Home of Benson is assisting the family with the arrangements.
