Donald Edward Sites passed away peacefully on February 18, 2022, at the age of 85.  He was born on April 26, 1936 in Oakley, Kansas to Russell and Matilda (Purma) Sites, and lived his life south of Grinnell, Kansas, on the family farm.

Don graduated from Grinnell High School and Fort Hays State University (known then as Fort Hays State College).  While attending FHS, he met Alberta "Bertie" Forbes.  They were married on August 25, 1957 in Rexford, Kansas.  Their union blessed them with two children, Dalen and Marla.

His greatest passion, besides farming, was collecting.  He had numerous collections he was very proud of and most of the time would say, "Collecting is my work, farming is my hobby."  Some of his greatest collections were coins & guns, which lead him to be chairman of the Logan-Gove Co. Coin Club for over 30 years.  Don also created and rotated through various collections over the years, including:  barbed wire, door stops, windmill weights, patent models, lightning rod balls, weather vanes, hog oilers, farm toys, cast iron toys, and most importantly, the World's Largest Collection of Cast Iron Implement Seats.  He wrote four cast iron seat books and pricing guides.  He also wrote a windmill weight book and pricing guide.  In 1973, he co-founded the Cast Iron Seat Association.

Don eventually purchased the Grinnell Train Depot and moved it to the north Oakley exit to turn into a museum.  Bertie & Marla spent many of their summers giving tours to travelers who stopped by to visit.  The museum was sold in 1981.

Don was a farmer and rancher all of his life until he semi-retired, so he and Bertie could travel.  Don & Bertie started traveling the world in 1989, and traveled to over 87 countries.  Many friends and memories were made during their travels.  When asked what is his favorite place, he would always say, "western Kansas".

In 2019, Don & Bertie moved from the family farm to Manhattan to be closer to Marla and her family.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Alberta, an infant (twin) brother, and his parents, Russell & Matilda Sites.

He is survived by his son, Dalen Sites (wife Deann), of Mohave Valley, AZ; his daughter, Marla Webster (husband Lynn), of Olsburg, KS; and three granddaughters:  D'adra (Sites) Salley (husband Michael), of Chandler, AZ; Codie (Webster) Swartz (husband Tanner), of Olathe, KS; and Callie Webster, of Houston, TX.

Visitation will be at Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home in Oakley on Friday, February 25, 2022, from 5:00 – 8:00 pm.  The funeral service will be held at Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home on Saturday, February 26, 2022, at 10:00 am and Don will be laid to rest in the Grinnell Township Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home, P.O. Box 221, Oakley, KS  67748, or to Marla Webster, 6920 Hwy. 16, Olsburg, KS 66520.

Sign the online guestbook at www.kennedykosterfh.com