Donna Mae (Sisson) Bushong passed away peacefully early on the morning of December 29th, 2025, at the Eastern Star Home in Redfield, South Dakota.
Visitation will be held at Tulare United Church in Tulare, South Dakota, on Friday, January 2nd, 2026, from 12:00 to 2:00 pm preceding the funeral service, to be held at the church at 2:00 pm. Pastor Derek Runge will officiate. A light lunch will be served in the church hall after the service. Burial will then follow at the Burdette Cemetery in Hand County, South Dakota.
The funeral service will be live-streamed through a link on the funeral home’s website below Donna’s obituary. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hyke Funeral Home of Redfield (www.hykefuneralhome.com).
Donna was born on November 3rd, 1932, on the farm in Wheaton Township to parents Virgil and Gladys (Watkins) Sisson. Donna was welcomed as the sixth daughter in a loving family that eventually grew to nine girls. Many stories were told of the girls’ childhood growing up on the farm. Donna attended country school prior to graduating from Redfield High School.
After graduation, Donna was married to Delbert Bushong on December 30th, 1950. It was a warm December day on their wedding, marking the warmth of their marriage. The two had grown up together, as the two farms were six miles apart, and both families attended the Wheaton Church. Their first year of marriage was interrupted by Delbert being drafted into the army for two years and being deployed to Japan. During Delbert’s absence, Donna worked in Redfield and began preparing for their life together.
Upon Delbert’s return, Donna began her life of a mother and farm wife. Delbert and Donna had three children, Debra, David, and Todd. Life was flurry of activity, attending kids’ events and being active in the Wheaton Church, including being a Sunday School teacher and being the organist for over 20 years. Donna helped on the farm as necessary, but always had a big garden and, early on was responsible for raising geese, which meant the kids raised geese. During the difficult farm years of the 70’s, Donna took a job in town helping to support the family.
Donna enjoyed life on the farm and had open arms and an open heart for anyone who needed a warm welcome. The farm was frequently visited by family and friends. Donna was able to whip up a meal in no time for anyone who dropped in.
Donna was left with a huge hole in her heart after Delbert passed in 2022.
Donna is survived by her children, David (Diane) and Todd (Ann), six grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and three sisters, Marilyn Schmidt, Sharyl Prince, and Jerrilyn (Tony) Brunette. She was preceded in death by her parents, five sisters, daughter Debra, grandson Lucas, and by Delbert.
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