Donald George Chauncey, 67

Donald George Chauncey, 67, was born September 19, 1958, in Winner, SD, to LeRoy and Clarice Chauncey. On November 12, 2025, in Manhattan, KS, his Lord and Savior unexpectedly called him home.

Donald grew up on a farm near Hidden Timber, SD, and his time there began his love for the outdoors. He attended schools in Todd County, graduated from Winner High School, and attended Frontier School of the Bible School in Wyoming.

Growing up, he worked for his uncles and various ranchers around the area. He developed a love for horses. Later he raised bees to sell honey, but mostly gave it away to his friends and anyone who needed it. He ran a handyman business and fixed and painted many buildings, but his favorite jobs were always tree trimming and yard work. He enjoyed being self-employed and never missed an opportunity to grab his fishing pole to take a day of rest.

To his nieces and nephews, he was always a favorite uncle, taking them fishing and hunting. Don made a lot of friends through his involvement with Amway and his love for square dancing. It was at a dance he met his former wife, Kristy Lupher. They were married, and he moved to Manhattan, KS. They welcomed their daughter Kaitlyn, who became the center of his world.

He shared with her his love of square dancing, horses, and the great outdoors; they spent many days fishing, bike riding, horseback riding, sledding, and hiking. Most importantly, he shared with Kaitlyn his love of Jesus. He made a great effort to travel to South Dakota to keep Kaitlyn connected to family there.

For the last few years, Don spent his days helping his nephews build homes in Kansas. He enjoyed planting the lawns and making things green, as he always had a knack for landscaping and gardening. He welcomed each new family into the neighborhood with a smile and a conversation that could last an hour, whether with the realtor showing homes, inspectors, the code enforcement officials, the subcontractors, or even the competition—everyone knew and loved him.

He might show up at 7:00, or he might be there at noon; you never knew, but Don always found something to do—whether mowing the grass with the antique tractor, putting shelves in a closet, or wearing out another vacuum. He kept himself busy with what he could. His favorite task was taking the trash trailers to the dump; he did this once or twice a week and got to see Roy at the weigh station on a regular basis, making yet another friend. If they hadn’t been filled throughout the week, he would be sure to take at least half of a load. Donald was never a slave to a phone; he rarely kept it with him or answered it much. But Tuesday afternoons, his world stopped for his most important calls—Kaitlyn. His love and pride for his daughter shone through every day, and he was going to be there for her no matter what—whether parent-teacher conferences, 4-H, riding lessons, award ceremonies, a recital, or a simple day in the park. He had his priorities right, and it showed.

Donald will be missed by all who knew him, for they were sincerely blessed. Kansas will be a sadder place without him, but the gardens in heaven are blooming like never before.

He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son; sister, Cathy; brothers-in-law, Bill Lyons and Larry Meiners; nephew Duane; and niece Sara.

Survivors are his daughter Kaitlyn; brothers, Ed (Kathy) Chauncey, and John (Kathy) Chauncey; sisters, Elaine Meiners, Darlene (Rollie) Heinert, and Janice (Fud) Ferris, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Services were held at Carter Gospel Fellowship in Carter, SD with Pastors Tyler Greathouse and Les Olsen officiating. Burial followed at Winner Cemetery, Winner, SD. The family suggests memorials in Donald’s name to the Kaitlyn Chauncey Education Fund.

Holmes Funeral Home of Valentine was entrusted with the arrangements.