Dodge City - Donald Raymund Stein was born in Spearville, KS on October 10, 1929 to Raymund Stein and Clara Stegman. He departed this life on December 10, 2024 at Brookdale Senior Living in Dodge City at the age of 95. Don grew up in Spearville, Kansas working on the family farm and dairy. He graduated from Spearville High School, class of 1947. Don continued to be involved in farming the homestead and described harvest as a "festive occasions" with family.

Don enlisted in the U.S. navy in 1950 and served during the Korean Conflict. His first deployment was in Guam, later serving on the repair ship USS Hooper Island as a pattern maker until his discharge in October of 1954. Don soaked in the culture, sending gifts back home, including an engagement ring.

In 1953, Don married Adell Werner in Dodge City, Kansas. The couple lived briefly in California, before Don's naval discharge, and then made their home in Dodge City. Blessings to this union of 44 years were two children Donna and Christopher. Adell worked as a nurse and Don in construction, later founding Western Construction, which he owned and operated for over 40 years. Alongside a company of talented tradesmen, Don built much of Dodge City's commercial businesses, and custom homes taking pride in the quality of his work. In addition to hard work, Don enjoyed a social life with friends and family. Always the generous host, he enjoyed cooking especially for family gatherings. Memorable times include Christmas breakfast after midnight mass and colored Easter eggs by the dozens. He liked to be "on the go" with weekend water skiing at the lake, hunting in the mountains of Colorado and fishing in New Mexico. Travel included a couple of trips abroad, but mostly visiting family and friends. Adell passed away on December 12, 1997.

Along with various clubs, Don was an active member of community building organizations such as Boot Hill Jaycees, Dodge City Home Builders Association, Chamber of Commerce, the Carnegie Center for the Arts, VFW, American Legion and Knights of Columbus, in Dodge City. He supported the arts, rodeo and education, including St Mary of the Plains College. Mostly he was a devoted man of the Roman Catholic faith, regularly attending mass, as a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe. It was at church that he met and proposed to Mary Francis. They were married in January 2000 at Sacred Heart in Dodge City. Mary and Don shared almost 25 years together traveling and celebrating family additions and milestones.

Don is survived in death by his caring wife, Mary of the home. Other surviving family members include his sister, Sister Rose Mary Stein,Dominican Sisters of Peace, of Dodge City; daughter, Donna (Frank) Burke of Flower Mound, TX; son, Christopher (Cyd) Stein, Atchison, KS; stepchildren, Mark (Kim) Francis, Rose Hill, KS, Kim (George) Raymond, Yukon, OK, Michelle (John) Ormiston, and Alison (Seth) Asher, all of Wichita, KS. Don's great joy are his grandchildren, Maggie (Justin) Fulkerson, Rachel Burke, Quinlan (Troy) Fort and Taylor Stein; step grandchildren, Jatin Davis, Kyle Francis, Kayla Francis, Noah Asher, Adin Asher; and two great grandchildren, Grayson and Molly Fulkerson. Don is also by survived brothers-in-law, Richard (Kathy) Werner, and Kenneth Werner; sister-in-law Becky Werner; numerous nieces and nephews; great and great-great nieces and nephews. Don was proceeded in death by his wife Adell; mother and father; brother, Melvin Stein; sisters-in-law, Shirley Stein, Mary Burke, Betty Werner, Delores Werner; and brothers-in-law, Rolland Werner, Russel Werner, and John Burke.

Funeral service will be held at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Dodge City on Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 10:30AM with Father John Stang and Father Ted Skalsky presiding.  Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Dodge City. Viewing will be one hour prior to mass. Memorials are suggested to Sacred Heart Endowment Fund, Hospice of the Prairie, or Ford County Humane Society in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.