Donald Debele, age 86 of Bottineau, formerly of Kramer, died Friday at a Bottineau hospital.  His funeral will be held on Monday at 2:00 pm at the Zion Lutheran Church in Kramer.  Visitation will be Sunday from 1:00 pm until 5:00 pm at the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.  Burial will be at the Zion Lutheran Cemetery near Kramer.

Donald Fred Debele, a son of Jacob and Rose (Heil) Debele, was born on December 1, 1931 in Bottineau. He was raised near Kramer and was baptized and confirmed at the Zion Lutheran Church.  On October 22, 1952 he entered the US Army and he served until receiving his honorable discharge on October 21, 1954.  He returned to Kramer and on June 9, 1957, he married Rosella Gust.  He worked at the Farmer's Union in Kramer and hauled gravel for Walter Otto while also farming.  He retired from farming in 1995 after 50 years.  They moved into Bottineau in 2008.

He enjoyed fishing.  He volunteered with the Bottineau Braille Center and the Orphan Grain Train.  He served on Elysian Township Board, the Zion Lutheran Cemetery Board, the Elevator Board and the Kramer School Board.  He and Rosella enjoyed traveling via bus tours and had opportunities to visit many states.

He is survived by his wife, Rosella; children, Timothy (Carol) Debele, Tony (LouAnn) Debele and Rebecca (Kevin) Herbel; grandchildren, Dana (Jessi) Debele, Preston (Stephanie) Debele, Toby Debele, Brett Debele and Beth (Trevor) Abrahamson; step-granddaughter, Jordan Herbel; great grandchildren, Cora and Liza Debele and step-great grandchildren, Camryn and Callen; sister, Arbella West; sister-in-law, Dorothy Debele and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Thefiold; sister Claudia and her husband, John Hibbert and brother-in-law, Frank West.

In Lieu of flowers, the family request that memorials be given to the Bottineau Braille Center, Turtle Mountain Cancer Support or an organization of the donor's choosing.