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Submitted: 8/6/23 • Approved: 8/10/23 • Last Updated: 8/13/23 • R275253-G275253-S3
Sec 7 LOT 86 cremation gardens
Doug E. Lunstra
April 12, 1952 - April 18, 2022
Douglas E. Lunstra, 70, died Monday, April 18, 2022 in Sioux Falls, SD. Memorial services will be 5:00 PM Saturday, April 23, 2022 at George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory, Sioux Falls, SD. Family present visitation begins at 3:00 PM Saturday at the funeral home.
Douglas "Doug" Eugene Lunstra was born April 12, 1952, in Luverne, MN to Dewey and Jenny (Star) Lunstra. He was the youngest of 13 children and grew up on the family farm (the Circle L Ranch) in Beaver Creek MN. He graduated Hills Beaver Creek High School in 1971.
He met his wife, Julia Ann Fleming, on a blind date on July 5, 1970. During that date, Doug proposed and they were married on October 19, 1971, in Sioux Falls, SD. They were blessed with two children, Erik and Christina. Doug was a soccer coach for his son, Erik, and he helped with coaching basketball for his daughter, Chris. Doug and Julie co-led the youth group for two years and participated in multiple youth group camping weekends at Yankton. During the camping trips, he manned the boat to help the youth learn how to waterski. This was not a 100% event, but many did learn with his dedication urging kids to keep trying. Doug and Julie were able to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with their daughter, Chris, granddaughters, Alex, Arianna, and Nancy and Mike Larsen, on October 19, 2021.
Doug held many positions at MidAmerican Energy (formerly Cengas and Minnegasco). He began his career at the gas company in September of 1971 on the street crew. In addition to his full-time position with MidAmerican Energy, he worked multiple jobs to support his young family. He worked at a gas station, then full-time at Sears automotive, where he received certification as an air condition specialist and in the Sears Warehouse. Doug was always picking up part-time jobs. Once he was offered an opportunity to take down a tree. This didn't work out so well. The chainsaw hit a knot and kicked back into his knee. He wouldn't quit until the job was done because he was paying for the saw by the hour. The day ended with a trip to the ER for 27 stitches. When an opening became available at Cengas, Doug moved into a service technician position before advancing to a service supervisor position. It was at this point in his career that he served as a regional supervisor for NW Iowa and SD. He retired after 43 years of service on February 2014, as an OSHA Compliance, Training and Safety Specialist. This position gave him the opportunity to travel to the Philippines, Europe, and throughout the United States. He enjoyed his job and was very dedicated to ensuring that his employees always came first. Throughout his career and travels with MidAmerican Energy, Doug developed great friends, locally and abroad. Doug had an incredible work ethic.
Doug always enjoyed working on cars. He had to install a new engine in his second ‘63 Chevy after his wife (then girlfriend) put his first Chevy in the ditch. He became the person to come to when anyone had a car issue. Doug enjoyed riding his Harley. He rode to Albuquerque for a Sertoma convention and to Los Angeles for a family member's birthday. Doug enjoyed attending the Sturgis rally for many years. His oldest granddaughter, Alex, started riding to the Hills with him when she was six. Grandma followed in the car in case Alex needed a break. His granddaughter, Arianna also enjoyed it when he would pick her up from school on the bike or go for a ride, just because or for ice cream. Doug also drove the Harley Hearse for George Boom Funeral Home as well as serving as a procession leader at Hills of Rest Cemetery for many years.
Following their retirement, Doug, Julie, and Arianna enjoyed camping and created many wonderful and lasting memories. Arianna referred to the camping trips as Glamping. The camping trip that was the icing on the cake was the trip to the Grand Canyon.
Doug always enjoyed fixing whatever was broken or needed to be enhanced. He created the floor plan for their home on Locust Ave. so that it could accommodate his father-in-law (Ellsworth Fleming) to move in. Doug spent many nights working on the ductwork to ensure that every room had adequate registers for heating or cooling because it had to be done just right and to his satisfaction. His father-in-law was able to spend nine years in that home due to Doug’s generosity. Whenever there was something that needed attention, Doug knew how to fix it and if he didn't, he would find a solution to make whatever it was, either fixed or made better. After his brother-in-law, Sonny, passed away, he took it upon himself to help his sister, Alice, to finish raising the roof to meet with the new upper addition. Once that was done, then the siding needed to be replaced to make it look finished. He spent three years getting this project completed but in his own words, "this is done and looks awesome". It did look finished when he pounded the last nail, alongside his sister, Alice.
Doug was a member of the noon Sertoma Club. During Doug's membership, he helped build the picnic shelter at the Sertoma Park. (You will see his name on a plaque near the shelter with his last name spelled incorrectly) In addition, he put in endless hours helping to build and support the Butterfly House. Doug graciously offered to be the bartender, along with his wife, at multiple Sertoma conventions, meetings, and bus trips. It was his time to socialize with everyone because they came to him.
Doug enjoyed watching his first and oldest granddaughter, Alexandra, grow into an artist and a lovely young lady. Doug cherished becoming a grandfather to Alex and was actively involved in her life from the first week she was born. He enjoyed attending the show choir performances to watch his granddaughter, Arianna, perform. Doug referred to Arianna as his beautiful songbird. Doug loved listening to her singing wherever she felt like singing, watching her incredible dance performances, and singing at the church services. Doug’s youngest granddaughter, Avalee, brought him great joy. She warmed him with her hugs and smile. Doug was very proud of Avalee for her musical talent, fluent Spanish, and heartfelt kindness.
Doug is survived by his wife, Julie Lunstra; his daughter, Christina Lunstra-Person; three granddaughters, Alexandra Lunstra, Arianna Person, and Avalee Eberline, all of Sioux Falls, SD; seven siblings, Bev Beeson, Wayne, NE, Alice McNall, Lead, SD, Roger (Joyce) Lunstra, Sioux Falls, SD, Jay (Phyllis) Lunstra, Valley Springs, SD, Don (Karan) Lunstra, Richmond, VA, Virginia (Clyde) Menning, Luverne, MN, Lynn (Roland) Crawford, Beaver Creek, MN; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Doug was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Erik; and five siblings, Delores Miller, Shirley Osborne, Jacqueline Barrett, Karen Lunstra, and Marty Lunstra.
Contributed on 8/6/23 by 9katz
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Record #: 275253