Douglas W. Triplett, age 87, of Annandale, died Monday, Feb. 27, 2023, surrounded by his family at their home in Albion Township.
Funeral services were held Saturday, March 4, at Zion Lutheran Church in Annandale with Pastor Tyler LaGrave officiating. Burial followed at Woodlawn Cemetery in Annandale.
Douglas Wayne Triplett was born Feb. 25, 1936, in Oakes, North Dakota to Irwin and Florence (Hankel) Triplett. The family moved to Howard Lake then later moved to Annandale where he graduated high school in 1955. Doug furthered his education at the University of Minnesota School of Agriculture in St. Paul which led him to an opportunity to be an exchange student in Sweden for one year. On Aug. 20, 1958, he was sworn into the United States Army. He served in the Army until August 5, 1960. Doug purchased his first farm in 1961 in Albion Township. On June 29, 1963, Doug was united into marriage to Shirley Fulks at Zion Lutheran Church in Annandale. Together they raised their three children on the farm.
Not only was Doug a devoted and active member at Zion Lutheran Church, he also served on various church committees and boards. He was passionate about being involved and enhancing communities in which he was a part of. Doug served as the Albion Township Treasurer for 43 years and was a member of Annandale School Board for 12 years, CentraSota Co-op Board for 35 years, and he served 15 years on the board of the St. Paul Bank which became CoBank.
Doug was known for his love of spending time with his family on the farm and could often be found driving his Gator, tractor, and pickup. While not farming, he was an avid reader, looking forward to his daily newspaper. Doug and Shirley traveled across the United States and Europe. Doug will be remembered for his wisdom, love, and advice which will be deeply missed.
Doug is survived by his wife Shirley of almost 60 years; children, Wayne (Tina) Triplett of Annandale, Julianne (Todd) Decker of Watertown, South Dakota, and Cheryl Triplett of Shakopee; grandchildren Ryan (Hannah) Triplett, Emily (Nik) Butz, Jackson (Claire) Triplett, Benjamin Triplett, Grace Decker, Allie Decker, and Leksi Decker; great-grandchildren Georgiana, Marriott, Magnus, Ariadne, and Layne; sister-in-law Elsa Triplett, and many other family.
He was preceded in death by his parents Irwin and Florence, brother, Warren Triplett, and niece Karen Tomes.
The casket bearers will be Ryan, Jackson, Benjamin Triplett, Nik Butz, Chris Smith and Todd Decker. The honorary casket bearers will be Wayne Carlson, Ron Uter, Dale Jans, Thad Ashwill, Ken Seifert, Bill Anderson, Dave Bowman. Kathy Murphy will provide the music.
The obituary, guestbook, video tribubute and funeral webcast are online at www.dingmannfuneral.com.