Donald Dale Hyyppa passed away in the early morning hours of January 20, 2023, in Miles City, Montana.
Don was born December 12, 1940, at 12:30 pm in Whitehall, Montana, to Barbara (Kjelstrup) Hyyppa and Kalervo Hyyppa, the eldest of three children. He spent all of his childhood in Whitehall and graduated from Whitehall High in1959.
In 1958, Don started working at the Lewis and Clark Caverns for the summer. Many of his coworkers there became great friends for life. Following high school, he attended the Montana School of Mines, now Montana Tech, in Butte. After a short time in college, he left to pursue full time work at the Lewis and Clark Caverns.
Don married Judy Hansen in 1963. They had 4 children- Douglas, Craig, Lisa and Michael. While in Helena, he built a house on Maple Street where he and Judy raised their four children. Don and Judy divorced in 1987.
In 1966, Don was promoted to work with the State Parks Division in Helena. He ultimately became Administrator of Parks for Montana. In 1992, he was transferred to Miles City, Montana, and promoted to Region 7, Supervisor of Fish Wildlife and Parks. He retired in 2003 which concluded 45 years of service to the State of Montana.
The Historic Olive Hotel in Miles City was Don’s home for 30 years until his passing. He liked Jazz, sporty cars and his frequent trips to Helena, Bozeman, Missoula, California, Colorado and Arizona to visit family. He also sang with the The Soundproofers Union, a barbershop quartet, in Helena. His most recent trip was attending the San Diego Jazz Fest with family and his childhood friend from Whitehall, Judy Cowdrey.
Preceding Don in death are his parents and oldest son Shawn Schai.
Don is survived by his children Douglas (Alessandra), Venice, California; Craig, Helena; Lisa, Bellingham, Washington; Michael, Helena; brothers Ray (Patty), Florence, Arizona; Jack (Linda), Bozeman; and eight grandchildren.
Don’s family would like to thank the staff at Holy Rosary Hospital for the exceptional and compassionate care they provided.
A gathering of friends and family later this summer will be announced.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Brad Schmitz says
Hyyppa Family: Sorry to hear of Don’s passing. I was fortunate enough to be able to visit with Don last week before he passed. He was as sharp as ever and we had an excellent visit. Don hired me as the regional Fisheries Program Manager in 1998, he was the Regional Supervisor at the time. Don was a great leader and mentor. He loved the work he was involved in and had a passion for building his staff and their skill sets. He looked at every challenge as a new opportunity. His desk was clear and clean every night, not a paper on it! We still wonder how he could keep up with it all! He was a character and I’m glad I was fortunate enough to get in one last visit with him. Thanks Don!
Ron Holliday says
I have known Don Hyyppa for 54 years and worked closely with him nearly 17 of those years. He was a very fine person and a terrific asset to the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department. Upon retirement, he was among the longest tenured employees in the Department’s history. Don was very much “his own person”, was smart as a whip, had a razor sharp wit and was excellent at whatever task confronted him. I am so pleased to have recently seen him – the first time in decades. Sure enough, as with real friends, time and space were “instantly transcended” and we, along with other “ol’ mates”, took up as though we had seen each other only the week before! He was a great guy and Montana and the world have been better off because of him. I am so pleased to be able to call him my compadre. Rest well old friend…
Ron Holliday
Eastland, Texas
Dick Ellis says
I first met Don in 1967 when we both became part of a suddenly expanded State Parks System within the Department of Fish and Game. For the next 32 years, we worked together as fellow employees. I quickly learned to appreciate Don’s many talents which ranged from nursing along an antiquated tram system at Lewis and Clark Caverns to ably performing the duties of Parks Division Administrator and Regional Supervisor. Don was one of the most capable, yet most unassuming persons I have known. He quietly, and efficiently met challenges that were instrumental in the development of the State Parks system. Although fellow employees for many years, it wasn’t until long after we had both retired that we re-connected and a close friendship developed. I was privileged to get to experience first hand his great intelligence, quick wit, deep curiosity, and abundant generosity. He will be greatly missed.
Lorraine Karwaski says
Mike and family – so sorry to hear of Don’s passing. He was a great guy. I worked with him at FWP for years back in the day in our Conservation Education Division. Always smiling and had a good twinkle in his eye. He was a smart and very intelligent man. RIP Don
Jack Austin says
I had the privilege of working for and with Don for the last eight years of his career at FWP. Don was a true gentleman. Despite the many challenges and bone headed mistakes we threw his way, Don never lost his cool and always found solutions to get us back on track and moving in a positive direction. He was unbelievably smart and had a great knack for looking ahead and maneuvering our agency around and through challenges. He was a pleasure to work for and learn from.
Judy Cowdrey says
I so agree with all the true and kind reminisces about Don . What a fun and wonderful friend he has been to me since the day we were both born in Whitehall Mt
I am so appreciative of all the wonderful things he has done for me and will so miss him. Judy Cowdrey
I can not thank him enough.for all the
Judy Cowdrey says
I so agree with all the true and kind reminisces about Don . What a fun and wonderful friend he has been to me since the day we were both born in Whitehall Mt
I am so appreciative of all the wonderful things he has done for me and will so miss him. Judy Cowdrey
Curtis and June Fillafer says
Hyyppa family, you are in my thoughts and prayers during the difficult times ahead. Donald was a good friend and a friend to everyone. He will be missed in the community. Donald God Bless you in heaven. I’m so sorry to see you leave us.
Dewey Hughes says
Don, I loved him sharing his wonderful stories…
Dave Conklin says
I first met Don in 1973 when I began my career with the Parks Division of the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department. He was a straight shooter and a guiding light for me and all those that he crossed paths with. You could count on Don to do the right thing and to finish what he started. Once he made his mind up to do something it got done. To remind himself that anything is possible he kept a photo of when he weighed 300 pounds or so before he lost 150 pounds and became the person we knew. We have lost a good friend and story teller as well. We will miss you dearly. My condolences to the entire Hyyppa family.
Starla says
I met Don several years ago through his son Doug while busking in front of the Waterfront Cafe on the Venice Beach Boardwalk. We quickly became friends, as well as he a loyal fan of mine. He was a lovely vibrant man, full of life, and so friendly.
Everytime he came to town he would always invite me over with he,his son, and friends to have breakfast with them as his treat to me.
He was very generous, and always left me a LARGE tip as well. I enjoyed very much seeing him, and visiting with him, and iam so grateful to Don for having introduced us. I will miss him terribly, and that cute face of his with his hat he always wore.
I love you and miss you Don, and hope your journey into the next life is as wonderful, happy, and lively as you. Always your friend Starla