Donald F. Hander Sr.

Donald “Don” Franklin Hander was a man who lived life on his own terms—and he lived it fully.

Born on May 11, 1942, Don grew up in and around Madison, South Dakota, before later making his home in the Black Hills and spending time in Arizona. From an early age and throughout his life, he possessed an immense desire to build, expand, create, and keep moving forward. Sitting still was never really his style. If there was an opportunity to do more, build more, fix something, or chase the next idea, Don was ready.

He was a passionate businessman with an entrepreneurial spirit and an undeniable determination. He could be relentless when he had his mind set on something, and he wasn't a man who easily allowed obstacles to stand in his way. He believed in getting things done, and he had a remarkable ability to keep going when most people would have stopped.

That same determination carried into his lifelong love of anything with a motor. Motorcycles, snowmobiles, cars, and NASCAR were among his greatest passions. He wasn't content simply watching from the sidelines. Don could be found racing the tracks at Huset's Speedway in Sioux Falls, where the roar of an engine and the thrill of competition were right at home with him.

His love of machines became something he shared with the boys and the generations that followed. Whether it was working on a vehicle, tinkering with equipment, or simply talking about the next machine he wanted to see, Don was happiest when there was something mechanical to figure out.

 And there was almost always a toolbox nearby.

Don could frequently be found digging through toolboxes, searching for that one piece he needed to finish whatever project had captured his attention. He had a mind that was constantly working—thinking, building, fixing, improving, and imagining what could come next. He thrived on the opportunity to have more, do more, and experience more.

Family was another important part of Don's life. He especially cherished the men in his family and the time spent taking them along on car rides, adventures, and whatever journey happened to be next. Those rides and adventures created memories that will continue through his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Don was also, without question, a ladies' man. He had a charm all his own and never seemed to lose his ability to make people smile. 

For all of his toughness and determination, Don also had a playful side that those closest to him knew well. He was always ready with a joke, a sarcastic comment, a grin, or a story. He could give as good as he got, and his humor was often just as memorable as his stubborn determination.

Don was a force of nature, a builder, a deal-maker, and a larger-than-life presence who knew how to turn ideas into something real.

He seemed to live by the belief that nothing could keep him down. Over the course of his life, he endured more than most, continuing to push forward and somehow finding a way to get back up every time. He truly stretched the idea of having nine lives—and then probably would have argued that he had a few more left.

Don was not a man who simply existed.

He lived. He built. He raced. He tinkered. He laughed. He loved. He challenged. He explored. He pushed boundaries and often pushed everyone around him to keep up.

His life was big, colorful, complicated, adventurous, and unmistakably his own. He leaves behind not only the things he built and the stories he told, but the generations of family who carry pieces of him forward—the love of machines, the stubborn determination, the quick wit, the adventurous spirit, and perhaps most importantly, the reminder to keep moving.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin and Emma (Keupp) Hander; his sister, Diane Hander-Mehrer; and his son, Donald “Donny” Hander.

He is survived by his son, Chuck (Gayle) Hander of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; grandchildren Holly (Mike) Day of Deadwood, South Dakota; Kelly Hander (Zachary Hatcher) of Longmont, Colorado; Ashley Hander of Denver, Colorado; Ryan (Kathy) Hander of Humboldt, South Dakota; and Jon (Jenna) Hander of Eden Prairie, Minnesota; and his great-grandchildren McKayla Tsou, Connor Day, Hailey Day, Ophelia Hatcher, Finnegan Hatcher, Adelee Carlton, Elsa Hander, Isabel Hander, with another great-grandson Hander on the way.

His family will remember him for the life he lived, the adventures he created, the machines he loved, the projects he pursued, the jokes he told, and the legacy he built and left behind in the generations who carry so much of him forward. Don Hander was one of a kind.

He didn't just leave a mark on the world—he left tire tracks.