Donald Edward Burkholder

If you ever met Don or “Uncle Don”, you probably remember his big hand reaching out to you for a handshake with a big grin on his face. He loved congregating with friends, meeting new people and lending a hand whenever it was needed. He is known for his storytelling, stubborn optimism, his love for cars and car races. On March 9, 2026 at the age of 89, Donald Burkholder passed away peacefully in Kalona, Iowa, leaving behind a lifetime of memories and a legacy of love.

Born on October 7th, 1936, in Washington, Iowa to Edward Burkholder and Niva Miller Burkholder, he grew up in Wellman, Iowa and attended school at the Wellman school house completing 8th grade. Those early years shaped the person he would become. He was someone who loved Jesus and his family, someone who had an incredible work ethic and strong determination to see work completed.

Over the years, Don worked as a construction worker in Colorado and Oregon and owned his own cement business in early 1970’s in Colorado Springs. When he wasn’t working, he had a passion for woodworking, restoring Ford Thunderbirds and hitting the open road. He loved to drive and see all of Gods nature all across the United States.

Friends and family knew him as the person who got things done and the guy who knew everything there was to know about cars. He was dependable, reliable and memorable. He loved storytelling and had some amazing adventures camping and fishing in Canada and riding his ATV in Arizona, Utah, Oregon, Washington and anywhere he found an open road.

Don will be remembered by his children (from a previous marriage to Mary Jane)

• Delila Ferne Tworek, her children: Andrew Watt, Robert Watt.
• Edward Burkholder.
• Rebecca Lynne and husband Ray MacDermott and their children and grandchildren:
  • Dustin MacDermott and Children: Rebekah-Leana, Raen, Rhowind, Susannah, Rustin, Schae, Dorothy Blossom,
  • Tyler MacDermott and his son Quinn MacDermott,
  • Troy MacDermott, wife Marife Jensine Paicaglino and children Arielle, Caiden,
  • Sean MacDermott and wife Mallory Henkelman and child Miah.
• His daughter Philina Abbott, (from a previous wife Karen Plecker) her husband Craig Abbott and their children Brody and Bryce. As well as his adopted children by marriage to Karen: Pam Willis and Daniel Burkholder (deceased).He was also adored by his many wonderful nieces, nephews and grand-nieces and nephews known as “Uncle Don” who he loved spending time with. He was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Niva Burkholder and his sister, Dorothy Darlene Schumann.To know Don was to know a kind, big hearted, funny person with amazing resilience. He loved, he listened, he worshipped and laughed often. The world feels a little quieter without him, but his stories, lessons, and love will continue through everyone who knew him.Thank you for remembering our beloved father, Donald, “Don”, “Uncle Don” Burkholder, he will be greatly missed.