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Donald "Don" William Reeter, 80, of Dakota passed away Monday May 3, 2010 at his home. Born October 19, 1929 he was the son of John and Laura (Stoner) Reeter. After being schooled for three and one-half years in the polio ward of the Deaconess Hospital in Freeport, he graduated from Dakota High School in 1949. Don over heard a doctor tell his nurse that he would not as much as sit in a chair, he was paralyzed from the tip of his heart to the tip of his toes. He set out to prove them wrong. His determination resulted in his farming for twenty-seven years on crutches, doing everything but milk cows and work in the hayloft. While in the hospital he met Rose Hybarger and on December 3, 1950 they were married. In 1979 Don started to slow down a little and started to spend the winters in Arizona, always returning to the farming he loved. He was a Charter Member of the Stephenson County Antique Club. The first show he hooked on to the club trailer with his truck and hauled in many of the tractors and farm equipment that were displayed.
Don is survived by his wife Rose of Dakota; one son Don F. of Dakota; four daughters Cathy (Dennis) White of Dakota, Carol Swalve of Freport, Nancy (Fred) Thruman of Freeport, Elaine (Kim) Hammer of Stockton.; 23 grandchildren, 46 great grandchildren; There was nothing Don enjoyed more than visits from his great grandchildren. He kept a container of animal crackers for late night snacks and treats for his little ones. He will be missed greatly by all of us.
He is preceded in death by one son George Perry 1965, great grandson Dylan Edge in 2002, son-in-law Rick Grenoble, parents, brother Harold sister-in-law Mary Jane Reeter and nephew James Reeter.