Obituary of Donald Eugene Hastriter

Donald E. Hastriter, 96, passed away on October 29, 2022 at the home his folks, Dan and Bessie Hastriter, built in 1924. He was actually born in that house on August 20, 1926. He grew up farming with his dad, went to school at Happy Valley, grades one through six, and then transferred to Kuna where he graduated in 1944. He played football, was on the annual staff, was senior class president, plus many other committees. He joined the Navy in 1944, and was stationed in Fallon, Nevada which makes him a WWII veteran.  

While stationed in Nevada he and his buddies liked to find pretty girls to dance with. That’s where Dad met cute little June Rosselli. Dad had to return home to the farm to help his dad out. In the meantime, mom decided she really liked that cute little sailor a lot so she headed to Kuna, Idaho to find him. She certainly found him and on December 14, 1946, they were married in Yerington, Nevada where mom was from. They started a family which consisted of 6 children: Johnny, Roxanna, Linda, Susan, Dawn, and Denise. Dad and mom were always involved in their school activities. Dad, Ron VanOrder, and Percy Lowe started a boyscout group in the sixties. The group did many campouts learning to pitch a tent, build a cook fire, etc. They experienced Camp Tapawigo in McCall. Killed, skinned, cooked and ate a rattlesnake, learned knot tying, etc. When dad turned 83, he decided to skydive so he did. He loved flying, backpacking into mountain lakes, camping, boating, woodworking, cross country skiing, and mom and dad never stopped dancing!!

After dad quit farming he worked at the ASCS office with his good neighbor, Gene Showalter. He had a few other jobs, but eventually ended up at Amalgamated Sugar Factory where he retired after 20 plus years. 

Dad and mom really got into traveling after he retired. They went anywhere and everywhere, from Australia to Alaska, Oregon Coast to Nova Scotia, Canada to Mexico. They got to experience the thrill of the “Breeders Cup,” Branson, Missouri, did the hula in Hawaii, cruised the Caribbean, saw the magnificent Statue of Liberty, Redwoods, etc. They traveled with family, friends or by themselves always having a grand time. Dad’s motto: get off the main road, there is always so much to see.

Dad was a very social butterfly, he did not know a stranger. Dad would introduce himself and ask where they were from, which started many, many long conversations. He had lots of sayings he loved to share: “Life’s a Journey, not a destination,” “It is what it is,” “Don’t spend anytime whatsoever thinking about what might have been!” “Remember when” and always, “Have a good life!”

Mom left us on January 25, 2020. Dad joined her on October 29, 2022, they’re together again. Their kids, kid’s spouses, grandkids (great and great greats,) nieces, nephews, in-laws and outlaws will dearly miss them both. We love you.

We’d like to thank our very special caregivers, Bridget and Janet for the outstanding care and kindness they gave to mom and dad. You’re the best. Thanks Aspen Hospice, you’re a great group to work with.