Donald G. Burgoin, 87, Silver City
Donald Gail Burgoin, age 87, of Silver City, died Feb. 22, 2009, at the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital in Red Oak. Funeral services were held at Hertz Funeral Home in Glenwood, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2009. Officiating was Rev. Michael Stevens of Silver City United Methodist Church. Military honors by Silver City American Legion Post 439, with Gary Miller, bugler. Interment was in the Silver City Cemetery.
Mr. Burgoin, son of Gail Gettus and Florence Helen Burgoin, was born Jan. 30, 1922, at Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs. He attended country school at Silver Creek and then Silver City High School. His mother died when he was only two years of age. He was raised by his father, grandparents and many “loving aunts.”
He married Betty Lou Henderson in Omaha, on Feb. 20, 1942, before leaving for the Air Force. His military education was airplane mechanics at Sheppard Field, Texas for 10 weeks. He returned home in the fall to help with harvest. He rejoined the Army in October 1944 as an Infantryman. He was shot in the leg in Nuremberg, Germany and was transferred to Glennan General Hospital in Okmulgee, Okla., where his wife 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. He believed in conservation of the land and received an award from the Mills County Soil Conservation Service for all of the terracing on his farms. Mr. and Mrs. Burgoin had been married 42 years when she died on Feb. 19, 1985. After her death, he returned to the farm he loved. He enjoyed livestock and especially enjoyed his teams of Belgiums, Persians, and mules.
He married Margaret (Mass) Stewart on Nov. 23, 1991. They both enjoyed many years of camping and fishing and made many friends at Storm Lake. 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, by way of a covered wagon that he created and a team of mules. He and “Mickie” loved their gardens. No matter what was planned or what the weather might be, you planted “taters” on Good Friday. He 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.
He 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.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Betty; and daughter Gayle on Feb. 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; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; 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.