Donald K. Neuens, of Glen Ullin, N.D., passed away on Sept. 5, 2022. He was 83.

Neuens was born in Dickinson, N.D. on Aug. 9, 1939, to Walt and Evelyn (Connell) Neuens. He graduated from Bismarck High School in 1957. He married Mary Ann Fisher on March 17, 1962, in Bismarck. The couple had a son, Tom and daughter, Suzy.

The Neuens’ lived in Bismarck, where they owned and operated Neuens’ Western Shop until it closed in the year 2000. After the shop closed, Donald opened Neuens’ Tack & Leather Shop in Mandan, N.D. He became a talented leather craftsman through the years, a trade he learned from his father, Walt. However, before opening Neuens’ Western Shop, shoeing horses was a big part of Neuens’ life. He attended farrier school when he was 20 and was known statewide for his ability. He got under horses well into his 70’s.

A good friend, Sonny Ehr, once said “he is the toughest man I ever met.” Both leather work and shoeing horses were trades he passed down to his son Tom.

It was no surprise that Neuens loved rodeo, and was active in the Badlands Pro Rodeo Circuit, where he and Mary Ann acted as president and secretary for 7 years. Neuens had a soft spot for animals of all kinds, adopting three miniature donkeys and a Clydesdale for a short time, from the Dakota Zoo in Bismarck. He was also known to bring any orphaned animal home to raise, even bringing an orphaned colt home in the backseat of his brand-new pickup.

In lieu of flowers or memorials, please send donations to Copperhead Horse Rescue, 3751 249th St. NE, McKenzie, ND 58572.

A memorial service will be held for Neuens at 1 p.m., Fri., Sept. 23 at Kist Livestock, 1715 40th Ave SE, Mandan, N.D.