WINFIELD, MO- Donald (Don) Bennett Koelsch III, 38, formerly of West Dover, VT, died on Wednesday, December 9, due to complications from COVID-19. He was born April 2, 1982, in Carson City, NV, to Donald and Cathy Koelsch.

Mr. Koelsch attended Dover Elementary School where his witty, quirky personality began to shine. From there, he attended Wilmington High, in Wilmington, VT, in 2001. While in high school, he began working for Mount Snow where he spent many years and truly loved the wide range of experiences he gained. It was in his first position, at Haystack, where his passions for food, cooking and his strong work ethic began to flourish. In each of the years, he gained new skills and built strong friendships. He often spoke of his time spent at Haystack and as a groomer at Mount Snow. Throughout his life, he carried those skills and connections ensuring that wherever he went or whomever he met, he was prepared with knowledge and great stories. He set off to K-State Salina, in Salina, KS, to become a professional pilot. Before finishing his degree, he returned home to West Dover to work with Don Koelsch Builders and met his soon-to-be wife on his birthday of 2006. He also volunteered at the West Dover Fire Department.

Mr. Koelsch had various hobbies and lived a joyous life. He grew up an avid skier and snowboarder sharing the passion with his family. They traveled across the US skiing and riding some of the most popular mountains. During the summer, he could be found on the family’s boat on Lake Whitingham, VT. His father and he worked together for many years building houses and working carpentry jobs. Mr. Koelsch learned a great deal at his father’s hands and looked up to him until his last day.

Mr. Koelsch married his bride, Sara, on July 29, 2007. They had one daughter, Amelia, in 2009, who was the treasure of his life. There was nothing he loved more than spending time with his girls. Every chance he could, he and Amelia played video games together, bonding over zombies. He loved being able to take both his girls out on his motorcycles and enjoyed the curves of a good backroad in Vermont.

Mr. Koelsch worked a variety of jobs throughout his young life. He worked as a delivery driver at Blue Mountain Produce, and as a bank manager at People’s Bank, both in Wilmington, VT. He worked at Chimney Hill Rentals and received his Real Estate License. In 2019, he attended CDL schooling at Witte Bros, in Troy, MO, and has spent the last- year-and-a-half working as an over-the-road truck driver. He found his true calling that last year and enjoyed every mile he put on his 18-wheeler.

Though his days on earth were short, Mr. Koelsch left a lasting memory on those he met. He was a dedicated father and doted on his only child. He was also a devoted, patient, and slightly unpredictable husband that always charmed his wife. He had a quick wit and a fun sense of humor that could put a smile on any of his family’s faces. He shared a love of cooking and often overused butter and bacon.

Mr. Koelsch is survived by his bride Sara; daughter Amelia; parents Cathy and Donald Koelsch Jr, of West Wardsboro, VT; sister Jana (Chad) Staro, of West Wardsboro, VT; brother Chad (DeeDee) Pressey, of Winona, MN; maternal grandparents Donald and Sylvia Johnson, of Red Bluff, CA; several uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, and nephews. He is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Wanda and Donald Koelsch Sr, of Wilmington, VT.

Due to the nature of Mr. Koelsch’s death and the pandemic, a celebration of life will be planned for the summer of 2021 or as soon as possible. If you wish to honor his memory now, wear a mask and stay home if you are sick. In lieu of flowers, donations for medical and financial bills, as well as condolences can be sent to SaraKoelsch@gmail.com (donations via PayPal) or directly to GoFundMe at https://gf.me/u/y9uybr.