Donald Claire Burwell, 88 of Glenwood, IA entered into eternal rest on Sept. 14, 2012 at the Hospice With Heart facility in Glenwood. He was born Dec. 6, 1923 in Smith Center, KS to Clarence Elbert & Esta Ethel (Rorabaugh) Burwell. He attended Pleasant Dale Country School , then graduated from 8th grade at Walnut Grove School in Mills County. Don attended Tabor High School graduating in 1941. He faithfully served his country in the Navy during WWII from 1943-46. He was a S1/C Torpedoman in the South Pacific. Following his discharge, Don earned his Civil Engineering degree from Iowa State University in 1950. From 1950-57 he was employed as a Survey, Dam Construction Designer, which led him to becoming a Chief Weapon System Designer for Strategic Air Command until his retirement in 1986. He was awarded the Missile Systems Award.
Don was united in marriage to Elaine Milburn Knight-Barnes on May 20, 1961 in Council Bluffs, IA. To this union two children were born, Mark and Lisa. Don was a member of Grace United Methodist Church and taught Sunday school. He was active in the American Legion for 67 years serving as past commander. Don was also in the Tabor VFW. In 1990 and 1996, Don was honored with the Good Neighbor Award. This was evident in his daily living, as he was a kind and generous individual.
Preceding Don in death were his parents, siblings, Harry Ivan Burwell, Ilene Hannan, Ena Pauline Krause & Doris Longinaker. He is survived by his wife, Elaine Burwell of Glenwood, IA: children, Mark & wife Pamela Burwell of Papillion, NE; Lisa & husband Dr. Thomas Bieber of Clear Lake, IA: grandchildren, Diana & husband David Kempson & their children Allison & Matthew all of Waldorf, MD; Stephanie Burwell of Papillion, NE: Joseph Bieber of Clear Lake, IA: Matthew Bieber of Clear Lake, IA; nieces, Charlene Nutting of Glenwood, IA: Andrea Perumean of Fountain Valley, CA; Sharon Stevens of Newhall,CA; Nancy Longinaker of North Hills, CA; Kathy Longinaker of Springer, NM; sister-in-law, Kathy Barnes of Council Bluffs, IA; extended relatives and many friends.
Interment will be held at a later date.
Memorials may be made to the Glenwood Senior Center or Hospice With Heart.
Visitation:Monday, September 17, 2012
6:00 PM
212 S. Locust St.
Glenwood, IA51534
Service:Tuesday, September 18, 2012
2:00 PM
212 S. Locust St.
Glenwood, IA51534
4 Condolences
Our condolences to the family.
My dear friend, Elaine and her children, grandchildren, friends and family of Don,
Please accept my dearest and most sincere condolences regarding the death of Don.. I am so very sorry for your great loss. Please share all the great memories you have of Don with his grandchildren so that his memory will live in their hearts as well as for all the generations to come.
All my love and hugs to each of you. Again, my deepest sympathies to each of you!!! Love you very much, Elaine.
Kathie Poulos Schweiss and family
We are saddened of this news and extend most heartfelt Love to the family’s.
The Roberts Gretna NE.G4
Elaine, Mark, Lisa, and family: We are so sorry to hear that Donnie had passed away. You all are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Sheryl and I have been in Glenwood a lot in the past two months going through things in Mom’s house, and we discovered so many items from our childhood. It brought up great memories of the old neighborhood and all the wonderful times we had as children. We got mom moved to Atlantic yesterday. Take care and we need to get together soon! Love; Stuart, Sheryl, and Ardis Dusenberry
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