Don Leroy Raveling

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Don Raveling, beloved husband, dad, grandpa, brother, and friend on April 25, 2026. Don will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

A celebration of Don’s life will be held on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, from 1:00–3:00 p.m. at Horvath Remembrance Center in Marshall, with burial to follow at the Marshall Cemetery.

Don was born on September 30, 1950, in Springfield, to Leonard (Shorty) and Odella Raveling. He grew up in the Revere/Walnut Grove area, where he attended school and graduated in 1969. After high school, Don went on to Jackson Vo-Tech to study auto body.

He spent 35½ years working for the Lyon County Highway Department as an equipment operator, a job he took great pride in, before retiring in 2014. Don was known for his strong work ethic, steady presence, and sense of humor. Surprisingly he enjoyed plowing snow!

On September 10, 1960, Don went along on what he thought was just another babysitting job with his older sister Jeannette. Little did he know, that day he was babysitting his future in-laws as his wife was being born. Don officially met Lisa Fick at a gas station in 1977, which pretty much proves that true love can happen anywhere. They were married on August 25, 1979, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Lamberton. Later that year, they moved to Marshall, where they settled down (well, as much as Don ever settled down) and raised their two kids, Breanna and Cody.

Anyone who knew Don knew he loved life and knew how to have a good time. Don and Lisa spent most of their years camping and soaking up the great outdoors. You could usually find them cracking open a cold one, laughing with friends around a campfire. Don was also known for pulling pranks on the people he loved most; including terrorizing campgrounds with a remote-control skunk.

In their earlier years, they loved being out on the water fishing, skiing, and very thoughtfully flinging their children off inner tubes into the weeds. In later years, the fun continued, just at golf cart speed, cruising around the campground and harassing people they knew (and some they didn’t).

After selling the camper, Don and Lisa took up trail riding in their Ranger. They traveled with friends in northern Minnesota and Wisconsin, hitting different trails. Usually with Don finding new and creative ways to test Lisa’s nerves.

Don enjoyed pheasant hunting with his dogs and deer hunting with friends and family. He was especially proud of his four grandkids, Jayden, Mackenzie, Eden, and Beau, and never missed a chance to mention them.

Don passed away peacefully at the Prairie Home Hospice Lockwood House in Marshall on April 25, 2026 after a courageous battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife Lisa Raveling; daughter Breanna (Chris) McDaniel of Sioux Falls, SD; son Cody (Erin) Raveling of Marshall; grandchildren Jayden McDaniel, Mackenzie McDaniel, Eden Raveling, and Beau Raveling; siblings Gene (Arlette) Raveling, Jeannette (Wayne) Hieronimus, Gail (LeRoy) Hieronimus, and many other relatives and friends. Don was preceded in death by his parents Shorty and Odella Raveling and his mother and father in-law Lewie and Fatt Fick.

The family would like to express gratitude to the Avera team that provided exceptional care during his cancer journey as well as the Prairie Home Hospice team. We know he kept you all on your toes but you were there to the very end providing words of encouragement and comfort.

“We will miss you for the rest of our lives, but we are forever grateful that you are ours to miss.”