Woodsville , NH – Donald Ernest Kidder, 88, of Melody Lane, died Friday, October 6, 2017, at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH.

He was born in Littleton, NH, July 26, 1929, the son of Ernest F. and Anna M. (Lamb) Kidder.  Don lived in Bethlehem, NH, until 1945, when he moved with his parents to Woodsville.  He loaded and unloaded baggage for the railroad, then worked for his father at Kidder's Service Station.  On November 12, 1948, he married Virginia "Ginger" Beaton.

He served in the US Army with the 35th Truck Company from January 9, 1952 until his honorable discharge on December 11, 1953.

Along with Virginia, they farmed the Beaton Farm until 1962. He then drove milk truck for John Mitchell until he began working at Grossman's Lumber in North Haverhill in 1967, where he eventually served as the Assistant Manager, retiring in 1988.  During his retirement, he worked for Doug Murray Trucking in East Ryegate, VT from 1988-2002.

Over the years, he kept active with his family's school activities and 4-H.  Over the course of his life he enjoyed raising beef cattle, pigs, and horses.  Don and Virginia enjoyed riding and driving horses and drove their Morgans in local parades and for weddings. They wintered in Florida for several years and participated in Army reunions throughout the country.  He continued to enjoy caring for his horses to the very end. Family and holiday gatherings were an important part of Don's life.  Don and Virginia provided a family gathering place for a Fourth of July celebration at their farm for over thirty years.  Don's greatest joy in life was being Papa for his three grandchildren and other's who knew him by this endearing name.

Don was a member of Haverhill Memorial VFW Post # 5245 of North Haverhill, was a nine year member of the Haverhill Planning Board, and served as a member of the Haverhill Cooperative School Building Trades Program.  He was a 50+ year member of the Woodsville United Methodist Church.

He was predeceased by his wife, Virginia Kidder on March 10, 2015 and by a sister, Dorothy A. Lloyd on February 25, 2011.

Survivors include three children, Franklin S. Kidder, Paul L. Kidder, and Toni L. K. Mayo and husband Thomas W. all of Woodsville; three grandchildren, Benjamin P. Kidder, Rachel P. Kidder, and Cooper A. E. Mayo; two sisters-in-law, Jackie Estes of Lisbon, NH and Thelma Klark of North Haverhill, NH;  along with nieces, nephews and cousins.

Calling hours will be on Tuesday, October 10, from 6-8 PM at Ricker Funeral Home, 1 Birch Street, Woodsville, NH.

A memorial service will be on Wednesday, October 11, at 11 AM at Ricker Funeral Home.

Burial will be at the convenience of the family.

Don's family would like to express special gratitude to Arlene Gonthier and to his own son, Frank, for the love and care they provided to Don over the past several years.

Memorial contributions may be made to Cottage Hospital, PO Box 2001, Woodsville, NH 03785.