Donald Lee Stuteville

Donald Lee Stuteville, age 90, of Manhattan, died Wednesday June 9, 2021 at the Meadowlark Hills Retirement Community in Manhattan.

He was born on September 7, 1930, on the family farm near Okeene, Oklahoma, the son of Martin Harry Stuteville and Mayme Lee (Herriman) Stuteville. In 1942 his family moved to a farm near Parsons, Kansas, where Don attended a one-room school during grade 7 and 8, and met his future wife. In 1948 he graduated from Parsons High, where he was active in 4-H and also in FFA. He served as the FFA Chapter President for 2 years, he earned the State Farmer Degree, and then also served as the Secretary of the Kansas FFA Association. Don attended Parsons Junior College and graduated in 1950.

On September 7, 1952 Don was married to Lorene J. Dringenberg at the First Christian Church of Parsons. Lorene currently resides at Meadowlark Hills Retirement Community in Manhattan.

While farming he worked at the Kansas Ordinance Plant near Parsons and later also at the MKT Railroad Shops. He served four years in the US Army MPC; 2 years at the Parsons Reserve Unit and 2 years (1952-1954) on active duty during the Korean War. During this service Don developed lower back weakness, that prevented him from driving the tractor and other farm work. He spent the summer of 1954 in the Wichita Veterans Hospital, where his back issues persisted and he was advised to pursue a more back friendly occupation.

Don returned to Parsons and took additional college preparatory courses at the Junior College. Don enrolled at Kansas State University in 1956 and in 1959, he earned his bachelor’s degree, with high honors, in Agriculture. During this time his back problems diminished permitting him to resume farming at Parsons.

With success at judging in 4-H and FFA, Don competed for membership on the KSU Poultry and Crops Teams. He made both, which placed first and second respectively at the Chicago International Show. From 1959 to 1961, with the aid of a National Science Fellowship Award, Don earned a Master’s Degree in Agriculture at K-State, with research involving alfalfa pathology. Following his thesis seminar, faculty member Dr. Leon Edmunds asked Don his future plans and suggested that he attend the University of Wisconsin Madison.

In Spring of 1964 Don received his Ph.D. in Plant Pathology and accepted an Assistant Professorship at K-State, responsible for teaching and pathology research on turf, fruits and vegetables. A couple of years later, Don was asked to join an alfalfa improvement team composed of USDA Breeder Edgar Sorensen (Don’s advisor for his Master’s research) and entomologists to develop pest and disease resistant cultivars and germplasms.

Don was extremely proud of the fact that he had the respect and friendship of all his students, including a few in the department who were incompatible with their original advisors. Don was asked to serve as a faculty advisor for the Thai Student Club, where he served for several years beyond his retirement.

Don was a longtime member of the First Christian Church of Manhattan, since his days as a student at KSU.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sisters, Edith Bailey and Patricia Erskin. Don is survived by his wife Lorene, his daughter Susan Ann Carlson (Mike), his sons Donald Brian Stuteville, and Robert Vincent Stuteville (Becky); also, his grandchildren Jessica, and Eric Carlson, Erin and Alec Stuteville, and Chomphunut Stuteville.

The family will greet friends during a visitation from 7:00 until 8:00 p.m. Thursday, June 17 at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 18 at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Ben Duerfeldt officiating. Interment will follow in the Sunrise Cemetery in Manhattan.

The Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502, is assisting the family with the funeral arrangements.