Donald F. Emmick

Donald F. Emmick, 92 of Vermillion, SD and formerly of Sioux City passed away on Tuesday, January 27, 2015 at the Sanford Vermillion Hospital after a brief illness. A celebration of Don's life will be held at 10:30 Saturday at Bev's On The River in Sioux City. Rev. R. Paul Johnston will officiate. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel will be from 4:00 - 8:00 P.M. Friday with the family present from 5:00 - 8:00 P.M. and a Masonic Service at 7:00 P. M. with a prayer service to follow. Don was born May 20, 1922 in Westfield, IA; he was the son of Frank and Josephine (Jacobson) Emmick. He graduated from Jefferson, SD High School in 1941. Don was the National Golden Gloved Boxing Champion in 1939, 1940 and 1941. He served in the U.S. Navy during WW II from 1941 until 1945 and was the Pacific Navy Fleet Boxing Champion. He also refereed boxing for many years. Don married Della DeBardelben in 1945 in Sioux City. He married Janice Christensen Hill October 11, 1992 in Rapid City, SD. He spent most of his time living in the Sioux City, Vermillion and Westfield areas. He worked in sales for Huntington Labatories for 25 years, ranching in South Dakota and farming in Northwest Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota. Don was in the meat packing business in Sioux City and Luverne, MN. He was co-founder of the Colonial Manor Nursing Home business and Stockmens Great Northwest Commission Company at the Sioux City Stockyards. Don was a joint venture partner in Casey's General Stores Inc. and co-developer of the Sodrak Dog Park in North Sioux City, SD and the Waoka Hunting Club in Springfield, SD. Don was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Sioux City. He was a member of the Tyrian Masonic Lodge # 508 A.F. & A.M., The Abu Bker Shrine Temple and the Sioux City Consistory. He loved to travel extensively to many different countries and enjoyed the various states in the U.S. Don loved people and dearly loved his family. He was larger than life. His motto was "The harder I work - the luckier I get". Survivors include his wife Janice of Vermillion, SD; 3 children: Robert Emmick of Meckling, SD, Larry Emmick of Hinton, IA and Gloria Copas of Sioux Falls, SD; 10 grandchildren: Mike Emmick, Brian Emmick (Anita), Gina Dee (Chris), Jason Emmick, Cameron Emmick, Justin Emmick (Christina), Laurie Lake (Rustin), Catlyn Emmick and Dawson Emmick, Jamie Copas (Bienvenida); 16 great grandchildren, a brother in law: Bill Allen and many nieces and nephews. Step daughters: Holly Annis (Kevin),Trudy Hill; step grandchildren: Kristine Stout (Jacob), Ryan Annis (Devan), Tyler Annis, Jade Remington (Aaron); 3 step great grandchildren and a loyal secretary Patricia Benson. Don was preceded in death by his parents, brother: Stanley Emmick, sisters: Joyce Wisecup, Lorraine Allen and Bonnie Slanis and his former wife Della Emmick. Pallbearers will be Brian, Mike, Justin, Jason, Cameron and Bradley Emmick. Honorary pallbearers will be Jamie Copas and Dawson Emmick.