Donald “Don” E. Bur

Donald “Don” E. Bur, 89, passed away December 1, 2020.

Don was born March 13, 1931 in Riggsville, to Joseph and Josephine Bur as the youngest of 15 children on a family farm. It is where he acquired his strong values of faith and family and enjoying the simple things in life. 

Don was one of the few children in his family that graduated from high school and went on to college where he studied forestry management and met his lifelong love, Mary Janet Kennedy. He joined the U.S. Army where he served as second lieutenant. During the army Don and Mary were married and after his service they moved to Wisconsin where they raised their six children. 

Don worked for the Department of Natural Resources of Wisconsin for 40 years. Walking through the woods was second nature to Don. He loved the outdoors no matter what the weather was. 

He loved the wonder of the woods and showed his children the beauty of wildflowers, virgin pine trees, ice fishing and plenty of canoe trips of winding rivers and sitting around the campfire. He took his kids during the berry season and picked buckets of blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries. 

He helped coach his sons’ baseball teams and loved watching and playing the game himself.  Don and Mary were members of St. Anne Catholic Church where Don ushered nearly every Sunday. Don was a charter member for the Boulder Junction Lion’s Club since 1972 where he presided as president for two terms. He was also an active member of the American Legion Post 89 in Minocqua, Wisconsin.

Don was loved by his family and friends and especially his many, many, many nieces and nephews that affectionately called him “Uncle Donny.”

Don was preceded in death by his parents; siblings; and wife of 58 years. He is survived by his children, Michael, Stephan (Mary Talend), David (Lorrie Ritchie), Daniel (Luzia Tavares), Ann (Bruce Markuson) and Kathryn (Edward White); and his 17 grandchildren.

“Our Dad was a soft-spoken and gentle man. He enjoyed the co

mpany of people in his community and said hi to everyone he passed by. He was always thankful for all that he had in his life. To help our family remember our beloved dad would be to find out how you can get involved with or donate to Trees for Tomorrow located in beautiful Eagle River, Wisconsin; treesfortomorrow.com and also the Catholic Relief Services, Worldwide at crs.org or simply to just plant a tree in his honor.”

A funeral Mass will take place at St. Anne Catholic Church, Boulder Jct., Saturday, Aug. 14, at 10:30 a.m., followed by the burial of Don and Mary Bur. A luncheon reception will follow.

A special thank you to Nimsgern Funeral & Cremation services for their continued support and service. Online condolences can be shared at www.nimsgernfuneral.com.