Donald C. Rivard

Don was born with a built-in best friend, Dan, his twin. Although best friends, the battle always ensued over who was better looking. Born to Marcel and Dorothy Rivard, Don and Dan were their 4th/5th children; and if you ask them, they were the best ones. Don loved sports, played them as often as he could. You could always find him playing hockey, softball, and hunting; and in his twenties, playing billiards. After high school he followed in his dad's footsteps: he became an electrician, working with his dad at Rivard Electric and later owning it with his brother Matt for roughly 50 years. This was not just a job for Don, it was what he loved. Even after closing Rivard Electric, Don went on to work for his friend Andrew Mellas at Mellas Electric, where he got to mentor young journeymen for the last two years of his life.  

In 1977, Don married Nancy Rehbein. They loved billiards, 3-wheeling, traveling, rodeos, and spending time with family. In 1981 they brought their 1st daughter Jena into the world, adding to their family in 1984 with their 2nd daughter Lindsey. From the minute his girls were born, he was wrapped round their fingers. He helped guide them through every adventure and every hurdle. He made sure they knew what love was, knew how to be kind, and knew how to laugh. Even with his girls in their 30s and 40s he still called them his babies. 

 In 1996, Don and Nancy changed their course and opened Rehbein’s Arena BMX (the track aka the barn) in the horse arena that Nancy’s parents built. That started a legacy for many families. Nancy passed away in 2000; but Don kept this legacy going; eventually passing the operation on to his dear friend Dug Knollmaier. Running the track brought a new joy. There are kids who to this day call him a “Father Figure.” 

In 2008, Don married his 2nd wife Dayna Smith. Dayna has 2 sons, Nick and Keith. Don was so excited to have 2 sons. He made sure that all 4 of his children knew how much he loved them. Don had a cabin in Staples and many summers were spent there, 4-wheeling, shooting guns, just enjoying the peace and quiet. Don and Dayna loved to travel. Cruising was their favorite; him and Dayna made sure they went on as many as possible. Making sure to have family and friends with them to share in all the memories. Eventually they sold the barn and cabin to buy a house on Forest Lake. Where Don spent the last few years “Cruising” on the lake with Dayna.  

In 2014, he became “Grandpa”. Being a grandpa is exactly what Don was built for. His granddaughter, Selene, would have him wrapped around every one of her little fingers. If she could dream it, he did his best to make it come to life. Hearing Selene call him Grandpa made his face light. His favorite outing was taking her to Nelsons for ice cream. He made sure she knew she was loved; she was always his “little one”. 

Throughout his life, Don had many passions be it hockey, softball, rodeo, BMX, cruising, cribbage, or work.  He was a great husband, father, grandpa, brother, son, uncle, friend. With each friendship he made an impact, and it was always for the better.