Donald Wayne Hjelmstad

Donnie as he was fondly called by many led a full and wonderful life. He passed away at Bent County Nursing Home on April 18, 2021 at the age of 81.

He was born to J. Magnar and Margaret Hjelmstad on February 1, 1940 in La Junta, Colorado. He attended La Junta Schools, graduating from LJHS in 1958. He was an avid supporter of the sports programs and led many a cheer at the home games. He was also a supporter of OJC basketball and rarely missed a game. He and Coach Barnett were best friends. Donnie worked for the Santa Fe Railroad out of high school starting as a conductor and later following his dad's footsteps as an Assistant Train Master, the job he held until retirement in 1996. He took time off to serve his country in the US Navy aboard the USS Constellation as the radio announcer, playing records to keep morale up!! He was good at that job because he had been the Saturday night DJ on KBZZ, playing requests for listeners as "Darin' Don."

Donnie was also involved in many local theater productions with Jeff Church, Mickie Miller and Picketwire Center. After he retired he found a new hobby crafting beautiful crosses and personalized names with his scroll saw. His greatest challenge was making a Ferris wheel complete with working parts that is now proudly displayed at the Otero Museum.

Donnie is survived by his wife, Barbra of the La Junta home; son, Darin (Yolanda) Hjelmstad of Monument; daughter, Donna Steger (Scott Dawley) of Englewood, Florida; sister, Ellie (Derald) Brenneman of La Junta; twin sister, Dottie (Phil) Kinsinger of Colorado Springs; grandsons, Corey Hjelmstad, Ryan Hjelmstad, Ian Hjelmstad all of Monument; extended family, Jaimi (Darrell) Bogart of Flagler, Katie (Paul) Martinez Jr. of La Junta. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Jon, stepson, TJ Hunt, and step-granddaughter, Erika Bryant.

Memorial service will be Saturday, May 1, 2021 at l0:00 a.m. at Holy Cross/St. Andrews Church, 7th and Raton, La Junta with Pastor Julie Britsch officiating. Inurnment will follow at the Fairview Cemetery.

The family requests memorials to Ark Valley Hospice or Holy Cross/St. Andrews.

Online condolences may be made at www.PeacockFH.com. Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.