Donald Dean Quiring

Donald Dean Quiring, 89, died on October 23, 2022, at his home in Newton, Kansas.

He was born on July 8, 1933, in Cimmaron, Kansas, the son of Frank and Katherine Quiring.

Don played basketball for Newton High School graduating in 1951.  He served four years on a destroyer in the United States Navy from February 1952 – February 1956 during the Korean War.  He returned home and played basketball for Bethel College for 2 years.  He was a member of the Bethel team that won the 1957 KCAC championship.

On June 15, 1957, Don was united in marriage to Frieda (Janzen) Quiring in Newton, Kansas. The couple celebrated their 65^th wedding anniversary this year.  Their marriage was blessed with five children and, although not always easy, withstood the test of time.  They honored their vows ‘til death they were parted.

Early in his married life, Don worked various part time jobs which included being part of a traveling harvest crew for a couple of years to make ends meet.  He eventually landed a job with the United States Postal Service working there until retiring in September 1989.  Long after he retired, he could still remember city/zip codes combinations in Kansas and even some neighboring states. Following his employment with USPS, he began mowing lawns as a part time job to, as he said it, “mow enough lawns in the morning to pay for green fees in the afternoon.”   In addition to golf, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, and gardening.   He took great pleasure growing and propagating dieffenbachia from a single plant originally obtained decades ago from his parents.   Don had a little bit of an ornery streak and the banter with his siblings at family reunions and get-togethers were a source of amusement to those that were lucky enough to witness.

In his retirement years, he could often be found in the Walmart McDonalds or on the bench at the Walmart entrance talking to any acquaintance that might happen by (or sometimes making new acquaintances).  Later in life, Don had a number of physical challenges that he repeatedly faced head on without complaint.  He was a cancer survivor.  Although the chemo treatments and eventual surgery would considerably sap his strength and result in life-altering changes, his will to live remained intact. Whenever asked how he was doing, the answer was always the same “I’m doing all right” or “I’m doing pretty good”.  As he lost hearing and sight, he learned to adapt even to the point of daily fixing a breakfast of fried egg, sausage, and toast by feel and timing.  His determination to overcome challenges was truly an inspiration to those that watched him daily deal with those adversities.

Don was a devout member of the First Church of the Nazarene in Newton and faithfully attended until the COVID pandemic and his health hindered his ability to do so.  He, along with his wife, volunteered in the kitchen for many years.  He wanted to be remembered as one who loved God, his church, and his family.

He will be missed by his children, Kathrine Rose (Sid) Brown, Redonda (Mike) Marshall, Irene (Kevin) Lehrman, Don (Jacki) Quiring, and Joan Marie (Bill) Burns; 12 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren; brother, Frank Quiring; sisters Erma Prentice and Marcella Stahly.  Oh, and his dearly loved Chihuahua, Taco.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Frieda, his parents, Frank and Katherine Quiring, sisters Betty Sawrie and Rose Rogers.

Visitation will be at First Church of the Nazarene in Newton, Kansas from 5:00-8:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 3, 2022, with the family present from 6:00-7:30.  Interment will be 10:00 a.m. at Restlawn Cemetery followed by a memorial service at First Church of the Nazarene at 11:00 a.m., Friday, November 4, 2022, with Kerry Rosfeld officiating.

Memorial contributions in Don’s name may be made to Good Shepherd Hospice and Harvey County Meals on Wheels.