Funeral Services for Donald Wayne Buntjer, age 82, of rural Worthington, MN were held Friday, November 23, 2018 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, in Worthington, officiated by Pastor Mark Schreiber. Interment with full military honors provided by the Ocheyedan American Legion was in the Ocheyedan Cemetery. Donald died Monday, Nov. 19, 2018, at his home. He was born Jan. 13, 1936 to Henry and Hattie (Aielts) Buntjer, in rural Rushmore, MN. Don attended country school and graduated from Ocheyedan High School, Ocheyedan, IA. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served from 1956 to 1958 in Germany.
On October 22, 1960, Don married Lorna Kohls at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Danube, MN. They made their home in Kansas City, MO until June, 1961. They then moved to Ocheyedan, IA and later to Luverne, MN before settling on a farm in Bigelow Township, Nobles County, MN where they raised their family.
Don worked for Ostermann’s Construction of Ocheyedan, doing road work in Minnesota, Iowa and Missouri. It was while working in Kansas City that he met his future bride. After returning to Minnesota, the couple farmed and raised a menagerie of livestock. He did this while working for Iowa Beef Processors in Luverne for 30 years. Don was a huge supporter of his family and enjoyed nothing more than attending his grandchildren’s’ sporting events and school activities. With the help of the grandkids, he grew and sold the best tasting sweet corn in Worthington for the past several years and loved to visit with everyone.
Don is survived by his wife, Lorna Buntjer, rural Worthington, MN; four children, Kevin Buntjer, Worthington, MN; Randy (Connie) Buntjer, Ellsworth, MN; Julie Buntjer, Worthington, MN; and Jason (Kari) Buntjer, Fairmont, MN; ten grandchildren, Andrew, Jacob (Ashlee) and Crystal Buntjer; Matthew (Kaitlin), Jessica, Zachary and Katie Buntjer; and Blake, Reece and Alayna Buntjer; eight great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Clarice Buntjer, Worthington, MN; and brothers-in-law, Orval (Gayle) Kohls, Wheaton, MN; and Eldon (Kay) Kohls, Blomkest, MN; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and two siblings Floyd Buntjer and Helen Loeschen.
The arrangements were handled by Dingmann Funeral and Cremation Services.
