Donald G. Burgoin

Donald Gail Burgoin, son of Gail Gettus and Florence Helen Burgoin, was born January 30, 1922 at Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Don attended country school at Silver Creek and then Silver City High School. Don's Mother died when he was only two years of age. He was raised by his father, grandparents and many "loving aunts." Don married Betty Lou Henderson in Omaha, Nebraska on February 20, 1942 before leaving for the Air Force. His military education was Airplane Mechanics at Sheppard Field, Texas for ten weeks. He returned home in the Fall to help with harvest. He rejoined the Army in October, 1944 as an Infantryman. Don was shot in the leg in Nuremberg, Germany and was transferred to Glennan General Hospital in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, where Betty remained with him. He was honorably discharged and received a Purple Heart, a Bronze Star, and many other commendations. During their marriage, they were blessed with two children, a son, Bill and a daughter, Gayle. They lived on the family farm until they retired to Silver City. Don believed in conservation of the land and received an award from the Mills County Soil Conservation Service for all of the terracing on...[more]

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s farms. Don and Betty had been married 42 years when Betty passed away on February 19, 1985. After her death, Don returned to the farm he loved. He enjoyed livestock and especially enjoyed his teams of Belgiums, Persians, and mules. Don married Margaret (Mass) Stewart on November 23, 1991. They both enjoyed many years of camping and fishing and made many friends at Storm Lake, Iowa. One of their favorite memories was being a part of the Mormon Trail Resurrection in 1996. They traveled approximately 100 miles from Afton to Council Bluffs, Iowa by way of a covered wagon that Don created and a team of mules. Don and "Mickie" loved their gardens. No matter what was planned or what the weather might be, you planted "taters" on Good Friday. Don spent many hours restoring his antique tractors. Through the years, he owned a John Deere D, a John Deere A, a John Deere B and could be seen around town on his Ford. He was always willing to move a little dirt with his Ford and blade. Don was a member of the Silver City Gordon May Legion Post #439 for 60 years and held the office of Commander for two terms. He was also a member of the Silver Light Masonic Lodge #400 and the Silver City United Methodist Church. He loved his families, friends, neighbors, and enjoyed visiting with them all. Don passed away on February 22, 2009 at the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital in Red Oak, Iowa at the age of 87 years and 23 days. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Betty and daughter, Gayle on February 12, 1997. He is survived by his wife, Margaret of Silver City; son, Bill and his wife Suzanne of Silver City; son-in-law, Hoyt Hayden of Glenwood; grandchildren, Kelli Berke and her husband Tom and their children, Abigayle and Benjamin of Glenwood, Ami Leath, and her husband Kyle and their children, Ryan and Sarra of Glenwood, Brent Burgoin and his wife Susan of Silver City and Emma Hayden of Glenwood; step-children, Sharon and Gary McNutt of Silver City, Karen and Dan Templeton of Colorado and Kevin Stewart of New York; step-grandchildren; other relatives and many special friends. Memorials suggested to Silver City Ambulance or Silver City Fire Department.