The train pulled out of the station and took dad on his last ride October 19, 2024. Don Doty passed away peacefully in his sleep with his favorite belt buckle on and his camo moccasins. Don was 93 and lived a long and adventurous life.
Don was born in Three Forks to Rose Walbert Doty and Orville Doty (Orville was killed working on the TF airport when Don was a child). They preceded him in death along with his grandparents Ed Walbert of whom Don was very fond, and Sady Walbert. He is also preceded by his great grandparents Mike and Sarah Lane, and a passel of other relatives and siblings. Don lived and worked on the family homestead(s) in Willow Creek and had amazing stories of those times with his large extended family.
The Milwaukee Railroad was fortunate to have Don as a brakeman/conductor until they closed and he transferred to the Burlington Northern in Sheridan, WY. He railroaded for over 40 years. Don was an expert pool shooter and could fix darn near everything with duck-tape and a pocketknife. He enlisted in the Army and shipped off to Korea even though his mom had arranged a deferment for him to keep ranch-handing. Those 2 years in the Army were some of his best; he would say and he was very proud to be a Vet. He married Morraine Weldele, whom he had met in high school in TF, upon returning from Korea. Morraine came from a huge family and Don became a patriarch to that clan. Before rail roading he worked for Kiewitt Construction building the Trident Cement Plant.
Don is survived by his daughter Theresa Doty, her husband Mike Basel and his two grandkids: Alexandra and Wolfgang, as well as sister-in-laws and numerous nieces and nephews from both sides of the family. Don was liked and appreciated by all for his personality, his thirst for life and his devotion to his friends and family. A celebration of life will be held at the Town Club April 11, 2025, 3pm-7pm. Join us to remember Don, have a beverage and food and tell funny stories. Interment of Don and Morraine with military honors will be held at the Three Forks Cemetery April 12, 2025, at 1pm.
Please visit below to share a memory of Don.
Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Don and his family.
Shelley J Dixon says
What a very kind man. He will be missed 😢
Karen J. Marinos says
My deepest sympathy. A very kind man. He wasn’t one for alot of words but when he talked you knew it was from the heart. His soft eyes and smile said it all even when he wasn’t up to feeling his best. May all the wonderful memories of Don help sustain all of you during this time and in the days to come.
Brent Helmick says
Condolences to you and your family Theresa. I very much enjoyed phone calls with Uncle Don in later years and hearing his stories about growing up in Three Forks, hunting and fishing, working on farms and a train ride with his grandpa Walbert and brother Bill. If there was a cowboy in the family, it was certainly Uncle Don. He told about being thrown from a horse and landing face first in the gravel one time. It was heartwarming to hear about his homecoming from Korea. He told me he walked out to see his own horse after two years at war and as he stood at the fence, the horse recognized him and ran across the field to meet him. It was almost the only mention he ever made to me about his time serving as a tank crew member. Our hearts go out to you and hope you find comfort at remembering all the goodness that was in your dad.
Tina McLean says
Don was one of those favorite people I shared a life with.
Usually quiet with a sweet smile and always a twinkle in his eyes, He a Morraine hosted many family gatherings.
Upon many of these gatherings he’d ask me if I’d like to go along and look for mushrooms. These were times that my memory holds close at heart. We would go into the woods and search for the best batch of this vegetable. He took his time and educated me on several of the plants.
These times made me feel special . For a young girl these times made me feel important.
Find ur special seat on the train above and have a restful ride , Uncle Don🚂.