Funeral Service for Vernal Earl "Uncle Bud" Donnell, 93, of Sisseton, SD will be held on Friday, January 4, 2019 at 10:30 A.M. at the Family Life Assembly of God Church, Sisseton, SD with Pastor Vern Donnell and Pastor Kirk Snaza officiating. Organist will be Marne Snaza with special music by the COC Worship Team.   Pallbearers will be Gary Halbert, Dan Donnell, Richard Cooper, Ed Halbert, Don Parsons, Ron Donnell, Jeff LaCroix and Brian Cooper. Honorary Pallbearers will be All of Uncle Buddy's family, friends, nieces, nephews, cousins, the Clayton Anderson family, Beth Anderson, and the Cottage Café Crew. Interment will be in the St. Matthew's Catholic Cemetery, Veblen, SD.  There will be visitation on Thursday, January 3, 2019 at the Christian Outreach Center from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service. The Cahill Funeral Chapel, Sisseton, SD is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Vernal Earl Donnell was born on May 20, 1925 in Veblen, South Dakota to George and Mary (DeMarrias) Donnell. He grew up and attended Stanley Hill Country School. Following his education Vernal farmed and raised cattle. He also worked as a custom combiner, and as a carpenter doing roofing and siding in the cities. Vernal was married to Sandy LaFountaine and the couple had two children. He worked in Aberdeen at IHS in the printing department and the mail room. He retired from IHS and worked at Tekakwitha Children's Home in the maintenance department. He liked to hunt, fish, and watch westerns on TV, and having coffee and visiting with friends. He loved to greet people at his church. He loved picnics and spending time at the lakes on Sundays. Vernal cared for his mother for thirty seven years, and he loved to watch the Bucklin Twins play Redman Girls Basketball. Vernal passed away on December 30, 2018 at the Tekakwitha Living Center, Sisseton, SD, with his family at his side.

Vernal is survived by his two children, Jason Donnell and Jamie Donnell of Sisseton, SD; two granddaughters, Lataya LaFountaine and Stacey Heck; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins

Vernal was preceded in death by his parents; one grandchild Khloe, eight sisters, Laura Jones, Ethel Schreiner, Alvina Halbert, Myrtle LaBelle, Mary Rustand, Susie Sirvass, Jearline Gronau and Arlene Nelson; and one brother, Francis Donnell.