Donald A. Magnuson, 97, passed away August 6, 2016 at his home in Alliance, NE.
He was born on Armistice Day; November 11, 1918 to Francis “Buster” and Josephine Clare (Seitz) Magnuson in rural Logan County, NE. He grew at the up the Diamond Bar Lake, near Arthur. In his elementary years he ice-skated from lake to lake to get to school. He graduated in April of 1937 from the Nebraska School of Agriculture at Curtis, Nebraska. He met his soul mate while attending high school and married June E. Taylor on June 10, 1940 in North Platte, NE.
After attending school in Kansas City for aircraft engine repair, they moved to Detroit. Don found employment; and while in Michigan, he welcomed his first son- Donald Stephen.
With the onset of WWII; he agreed to take several deferments while working in the factories in Detroit, MI. He accepted his draft assignment and entered into the military on February 22, 1944. He wanted to go into the Marines; but at that time the Marines were not accepting draftees, so he agreed to go into the Navy. When arriving for boot camp in San Diego, CA a sergeant met him at the depot and asked for the gentleman wanting to go into the Marines; he was accepted into the Marine Corps and was stationed at Oceanside, CA. He trained for amphibious landings with amphibious tractors and his company was formed while in route, and he became a member of the 9th Amphibian Tractor Battalion; support to the 6th Marine Division. On April 1st, 1945 (Easter Sunday), his battalion landed on the north end of Okinawa; bringing the equipment, ammunition and food over the coral; and to the front line under adverse conditions.
Don received an honorable discharge on February 18, 1946; and returned to the Sandhill’s of Nebraska planning on ranching; but then moved to Alliance. In 1947, he welcomed his 2nd son, John Hal. Don did a variety of jobs including AI’ing dairy cows, worked at the ice house and then began working for the Western Fruit Express; became a subdivision of Burlington Northern Railroad. He was a Boy Scout Leader for Troup 222 for many years and active in St. John’s Lutheran Church. The family enjoyed many vacations; camping in Yellowstone and the Big Horns. Don was a self-taught carpenter and was proud to have built their home; moving into the basement in 1961 and then finished building the upstairs as he had time and the money. He retired as an agent for the Burlington Refrigerated Express in 1980.Don was an avid collector of many things- arrowheads, insulators, railroad memorabilia, horse drawn equipment (mowers, plows) and old windmills. He and June spent many “vacations” traveling to insulator shows. He also enjoyed hunting snakes; and preserving them in belt buckles, lamps, paper weights and even tanned their skins for belts. Don and June spent much of their retirement camping and fishing, taking grand-kids on trips and he always had time to help mow hay in the summertime! He took much pride in his children, grand-children and great grand- children; always first to attend special occasions and making sure they had the help they needed. He was known by many in the community and was always ready to give a helping hand.
He is survived by his sons; D. Stephen (Mary) of Sheridan, WY; John (Sue) of Hemingford, NE and grandchildren: Karma Langer (Tim), Seth Magnuson (Lacey), Lance Magnuson (Trisha), Sheri Woodworth-(Charles) Miles, Lori (Erik) Peterson, Sarah Meyer, Blaine (Kaitlin) Magnuson, Julie (Tim) Lacy, Kimberli Magnuson, Jacob Magnuson, Zachary Magnuson; great grand-children: Hadlee, Saydee and Eain Peterson, Autumn, Addie and Pierce Langer, Ryggin Meyer, Bayleigh Lacy, Jackson & Kristin Magnuson. He is also survived by his sister JoAnn (Bill) Reutzel of Ogallala, NE and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, June Magnuson; brothers- Dale, Oran & DeWayne and great-grand daughter, Josephine Magnuson.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, August 20 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church with Pastor Tim Stadem officiating with military honors. Burial will be held at the Whitman Cemetery at a later date.
Memorials may be given to St. John Lutheran’s Church for the purchase of a headset system for the hearing impaired.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com with Bates-Gould Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.