Northern Wyoming News - Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years

Donald Jerome (Don) Feller passed away on September 24, 2018 after fighting prostate cancer for several years. His family was there loving him until the end.

Don was born April 4, 1950 in Hardin, Montana, to Harry (Jerome Charles) and Aggie (Agatha Ella Thomas) Feller. He was the first boy after 4 girls; the family added another sister and brother. When he was 6 years old the family moved from their family farm to Worland, WY to farm sugar beets for Holly Sugar. His dad became known as a very good farmer who also added innovations in planting and growing sugar beets and passed that knowledge and love of the land to Don. Don graduated from Worland High School in 1968 after spending years playing football, wrestling and running track, while doing his farm chores and being his dad’s right-hand man.

Don received a scholarship to wrestle at Black Hills State College, Rapid City, SD. He stayed one year then changed colleges to complete his studies at Montana State University, where he also wrestled for 4 years. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Vocational Agriculture.

Don taught Vo-Ag for 10 years throughout Montana, coaching and refereeing high school wrestling. During his years at Missoula, MT’s Vo-Ag program he met and married his wife, Kathleen Marie Weaver (Kathie) on September 16, 1978. They had 4 children. Don changed careers several times, while trying to better his family’s life.

He worked for Holly Sugar as an agronomist and a shift superintendent for 15 years; for several fertilizer/ ag chemical companies as a salesman/plant manager; and his favorite job as a custodian in the maintenance department of Greybull High School, Greybull, WY. He loved high schoolers, particularly the quiet kids. Because he often worked nights, he got to see many school activities which he enjoyed immensely. He loved telling jokes and stories; he was always positive and happy to help with school events.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Aggie Feller, his sister, Joanna, his father-in-law, Ben Weaver.

Don is survived by his wife, Kathie, his 4 children, Drew (Shawn), Bekki Benasky (Brad), Shawn (Monica Yamaguchi), and Amy (Dusty McNally). He has 8 grandchildren: Brienna, Chaise, and Kylie Benasky, Michael and Kristen Garcia, Kelsey and Cody Duffy, and Lukajo Yamaguchi, along with 6 great-grandchildren: Kaysha, Aiden, Ryden, Teagan, Amaya and Jason. He is also survived by 4 sisters and 1 brother: Jann (Phil) Colbert, Kathy Desonia, Carol Swaim (Clint Harris), Diane (Kent) Wilson and Rob (Karla) Feller. There are many people he considered family as well as friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Greybull High School auditorium on October 12, 2018 from 4-6pm.

An online memorial is available at http://www.BallardFH.com.