Donald was my father's younger brother. When my father died I was very young, Uncle Don became a special male influence in my life and my sister's. I just got off the phone with her and we reminisced over happy times we had spent with our Montana family. Tina told me about a day Uncle Don had taken her fishing in the creek below their home. Warning her to be careful of beaver holes, which were often very deep and easy to step into. Just as he finished warning her, he stepped into a very deep beaver hole, which submerged him his belt buckle.....as Tina tells it...she began laughing so hard she nearly wet her pants...after getting out of the hole, Uncle Don chased my laughing sister and tickled her good.....

I remember so many things about Uncle Don....once he tried to show me how to milk a cow....but instead of pressing with my index finger first and then the middle, ring and pinkie finger....I couldn't seem to get my fingers to co-operate and the pinkie would press first, then the ring, middle, and finally the index....if you think about it a bit..you'll understand why the cow was mooing really loud and Uncle Don was smiling his wonderful smile as he shook his head saying I might have to practice a bit before milking a cow....then he sent me up the ladder into the hayloft...telling me I could pitch over a few fork loads of hay to the cows below in the coral.....when I was through he told me to climb down the ladder (which was located flush against the barn on the outside) well about half-way down a bull smelling the hay decides to charge me and seeing the bull I leaped for the fence adjacent to the barn...I cleared the fence landing in safe territory.....safe yes, however, it was also the path taken by the cows being milked....and was covered in warm...fresh, cow manure....which I landed...falling face down and sliding nearly 10 feet. I can and will always be able to hear the hilarious laughter made by my uncle as he came to my rescue....whispering between gasps of breath and laughter..."that I was now a certified Rancher".......boy was I proud!

Uncle Don taught me how to ice skate, throw snowballs, and build the best snowman you ever saw...He showed me how to use the power saw...that kept me busy cutting boards I could use for decoupaging all summer long..... I remember once when he came to Texas, Uncle Don found it amazing that we would play in the rain cause it was so warm...he told me that the rain in Montana was cold.....another time when we lived with my Uncle and Aunt it was really cold, Uncle Don brought a baby calf into the house to warm at the fire...it had fallen into a pond and nearly frozen...he was so gentle with that baby calif..... he also called for me to come see a new calf being born, it was in the big barn where Uncle Don could keep an eye on it...I can remember being so awe struck as I watched in wonderment.

He took me to see the Cedars....and taught me so many things, like skipping rocks.....and baiting my hook with earth worms.....I remember when I was learning to drive...Uncle Don gave me the keys of the old jeep and took me into the meadow....told me to practice driving by chasing the cows....he said they had eaten too much and needed to run off the food instead of lay down....I thought "Wow this is great! I can do this!" As I started the jeep up Uncle Don called out to me to turn the jeep quickly if I saw the cows lift their tails..." I wasn't quite sure what he meant by that until a cow lifted it's tail... I paused waiting to see just what was going to happen, before turning....and again...Uncle Don after catching his breath from laughing hysterically, calls out to me..."You're a full fledged Rancher now!" This time I didn't feel so proud....it's amazing how your viewpoint changes with age.

Once while I was staying with my Montana family, everyone planned a great big ice skating party.....the creek had over-flowed into the meadow and flooded it...then frozen into a huge ice skating rink.....my Aunt, Mom and others prepared the chili and hot chocolate and we were all excited cause neighbors from everywhere were coming over, including my cousins Andy and Ross who were special friends......well the night before the big party it snowed one whole foot.....covering the rink...I loved the snow but not that day....Uncle Don just laughed it off and told us NOT to worry.....he and the other men worked so hard pushing the snow off the rink.....they used large unside down 'T' shaped board they built and made pathways for us kids to skate on.....some of the men had shovels....and as we played on the pathways the men started taking the shovels full of snow and tossing it at us kids as we skated by....it turned into a free for all....with Uncle Don covered in kids.......no matter what happened to me throughout my life....whenever I needed to find peace away from the hussle and bussle I'd think of the wonderful times spent at the ranch and the love I always felt.....

The last time I saw Uncle Don I had the opportunity to tell him how much he meant to me and how he had made a difference in my life...I have so many more memories but right now I am hurting....maybe I'll add them later when time has healed my heart ....to all my loved ones reading this..and all the wonderful friends of my uncle......God Bless....jh

Tom and Bina Eggensperger from Thompson Falls....Bill and Sarah asked me to look up the web page for them. I wasn't prepared for this tribute to such a wonderful man. Our Family has been very close to the Naegeli's, the children play together, Mary has been like a mother to me after my mother died. We always looked forward to seeing Don and having him share his laughter and wisdom. He truly will be missed.(my deepest thanks to Tom for taking his computer and setting it up for my Aunt and Cousins, so they could see these pages.....for emailing me with all the details, news, updates, stories....for his sensitivity and for his kindness....

God Bless You.....jh)

Below is a beautiful, heartfelt poem written my Don's neighbors "The Meadows"

Rancher, Neighbor and Friend

There are few people upon who you can depend

Don Naegeli was one of those - a rancher, neighbor and friend.

If all the world had neighbors, the caliber as he,

It’d be a much nicer place to live and raise a family.

When we were in need, a phone call and he was there,

To solve our dilemma and smooth away our cares.

Then, he’d stop and visit a spell,

Always asking if everyone was well.

Don had the satisfaction from devoting his life

To caring for the land and livestock, despite the strife.

He tended to his animals all hours of a day

Seven days a week, regardless of the pay.

Whatever the weather, before he settled into bed,

The animals were always watered and fed.

Plowing the fertile fields and working with his son,

They toiled upon the land until the work was done.

Tinkering with machinery, gathering the wood,

He knew Little Beaver’s pleasures and treasured the good.

He believed in conservation and practiced what he read,

To have good soil, healthy trees, clean watershed.

The first to arrive at the Grange Hall,

He set up the chairs and warmly greeted one and all.

He’d be the last to leave; he stayed until the end,

Doing what was needed for his neighbors and his friends.

Mary, his wife of many years, was the object of his heart,

Loving and adoring, they were seldom far apart.

Four children knew the joy of Grandpa’s love,

A special bond made in Heaven above.

These memories we cherish are the simplest ones,

Sharing food and laughter, though chores needed done.

As a rancher, neighbor and friend, Don was the best,

And we’ll miss him dearly, as he’s laid to rest.

With love,

The Meadows Family

EMAIL COMMENTS

(thanks everyone for the lovely comments...they are greatly appreciated)

Wednesday, May 28, 1997 12:07 AM

Robert C. Guenzler

Email: mbg@srv.net

This page was a very nice tribute to Don and about a very nice person. Our consolation to Mary & son.

Mary Larson Guenzler & Bob

Wednesday, May 28, 1997 8:51 AM

Carl Trinca

Email: carlwu@cyberg8t.com

Although we only me him once and spend too few days in Montana, Don indeed lives on through your efforts.

Dr. and Mrs. Carl E. Trinca

Claremont, CA/Whitepine, MT

What a wonderful tribute, to such an outstanding individual! When we first learned of Don's death, we were first in shock, then the grief began to sink in. Our community has lost someone truly special. In veiwing this site, reading through the memories, the tears have flown, but it truly is a special tribute to a special man. We have bookmarked this place and will return often to pay silent tribute again and again to Don. He was such a quiet, caring and gentle individual. I don't think it was possible to come in contact with him, and not have him make an impact on your life. Our deepest sympathy goes to Mary, Bill, Sarah, Derek, Jacob, Mariah and the baby, we all share your loss. He leaves a wonderful legacy and "mighty big shoes to fill". Thank you Jani, for giving us all a special place to pay tribute.
Mark and Diane Hedahl and family

Hello again....I was thinking about Uncle Don...

especially after reading such lovely comments spoken by friends who emailed me.....did you know when I was very young he caught me and my sister twirling around dancing....we were humming something from a movie we'd seen called "Tom Thumb" ...funny but I can still remember that little tune.....anyway Tina had been very impressed with the little Tom....me on the other hand was completely taken with the beautiful tree fairy (spelling now favored is faerie) Uncle Don told me that faeries danced under those two big trees way out in his the meadow....and how only certain persons could see them....so I walked way out to those trees and waited and waited...hoping for a glimpse...it got late and Uncle Don came to get me.....I was so upset because I didn't see the faeries....but Uncle Don told me they must have been busy doing something else for he just knew they wouldn't be afraid of me.

....his comments sure helped me to feel a lot better.....but it got me so excited I could hardly close my eyes come bed time....but being a child....slumber finally overcome me.....In the morning I heard Uncle Don awake to head for the barn to milk the cows...I jumped up,dressed and chased after him....catching up I tugged on his coat....he turned and smiled as he ruffled my hair...."so you're going to help me milk are you" (I had been practicing ) I just nodded my head and told him of my dream the night before.....and how I'd dreamed of the faeries, and how they came and got me and together we danced under the trees.....I also meantioned how much I wished it had been true.....Uncle Don stopped and bent down on one knee, looking into my eyes he said to me..."but don't you know... you really were there! ...that's how faeries are....magical...they like to make you think it's a dream so you won't tell anyone, cause they don't want to be caught" Uncle Don smiled really big and then he hugged me....telling me "see you really did dance with the faeries but it will be 'our' secret."

Always when I would come back to Montana I'd look to the trees.....I watch for the faeries....I never told anyone in all these years.................until now.

You know something else? I still can hear Uncle Don's laughter....see his smile....and feel his hugs.

(I did a tribute to faeries too,if you want to see them

just click here and off you go)