Donald Albert Burich, son of Albert and Jessie (Hower) Burich was born Feb. 9, 1929. He was raised and lived most of his life on the family farm a mile west of Creston.
Don graduated from Cromwell High School in 1947. On Oct. 14, 1950, he was united in marriage to Lois Brown in Prescott. From Jan. 1951 to Oct. 1952, he served in the U.S. Army. He was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge for his service in the Korean War.
After returning to Creston, Don completed the Farm Management program at Creston College and began his lifetime career as a farmer. He was a substitute rural mail carrier from 1972 to 1976 and served as a Commissioner for the Iowa Department of Soil Conservation from 1973 to 1980.
Don retired from farming and became a supervisor at Innovative Industries for 12 years. After moving to Creston from the farm, he became the primary care giver of Lois until her death. Don’s favorite times were with family. He enjoyed many trips to Texas and loved being affectionately known as “big grandpa.”
He enjoyed being with people, especially his early morning coffee groups. He was a member of Theodore F. Martens V.F.W. Post No. 1797, American Legion and First United Methodist Church of Creston.
Left to honor his memory are his three daughters: Linda (Craig) Coen of Oskaloosa, Lana Zoch of Austin, Texas, LeAnn (Paul) Dvorak of Austin, Texas; grandchildren: Mathew (Suzy) Coen, Alexis (Matt) Faber, Daniel (Amy) Zoch and Jeffrey (Stephanie) Zoch; nine great-grandchildren; sister Betty Davis of Creston; sisters-in-law Jean Cline and Joan Beard; several nephews, nieces and other relatives.
Preceding Don in death were his parents, wife, in-laws John and Ella Brown, son-in-law Harper Mahan; sister Pauline Duke; sisters-in-law, Marie Klingensmith and Lulu Brown; brothers-in-law: Melvin Davis, John Duke, Reldon Cline, Don Beard, Bill Brown, Bill Klingensmith and Kenny Brown.
A private celebration of life service and interment were held Monday, Sept. 14, 2020, at Graceland Cemetery south of Creston.
The service can be viewed on the Powers Funeral Home Facebook page. Online condolences can be given at www.powersfh.com Memorials may be made to the United Methodist Church of Creston.
