1941
Donald
2011
Donald A. Barnum
September 7, 1941 — November 13, 2011
Click to view the Video Tribute for Donald
Donald "Duke" A. Barnum was born September 7, 1941, in Breckenridge, MN, and passed away November 13, 2011, at Kindred Hospital, Fargo, ND. The youngest child of Hilda (Ehlert) and Milburn Barnum, he lived his young life with his family north of Breckenridge. Donald attended country grade school and graduated from Breckenridge High School in 1959. He farmed with his father and spent part of his summers custom combining in the midwest. He attended North Dakota State College of Science, Wahpeton, ND, graduating with an Associate of Science Degree in Marketing in 1971. He graduated in 1975, from Moorhead State University, Cum Laude, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing Education.
Donald married Evonne Kurtz of Breckenridge, on August 28, 1961, at St. Mary's Church, Breckenridge. The couple had three children. From 1959-1970, Don was self-employed, farming in Breckenridge, along with owning and operating a service station from 1959 - 1963, and co-owning and operating a pizza shop in Breckenridge from 1964-1968. In 1971, the couple moved with their family to Moorhead, MN, where Don worked for Overvold Motors and with his brother-in-law, Gerald Beyers, in the landscaping business. In 1978, Gerald and Donald created the corporation, ABC Seamless. Don served as Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager until 1992, when he sold his share of the business due to poor health.
Donald served in many leadership roles over the years, including: first president of the Future Farmers of America - Breckenridge High School, charter member and president of the Breckenridge Jaycees, District 9 vice president of the Minnesota Jaycees, District 9 vice president of the National Farmer's Organization, president of the Fargo Moorhead Homebuilders and national director of the National Remodelers Association. He served as a board member for the North Dakota Arthritis Foundation, Moorhead Community and Technical College Foundation, and the ND State Homebuilders Association.
He received the Builder of the Year Award in 1984 from the FM Homebuilders and the Grand Spike Homebuilders National Award for recruiting over 150 lifetime members. In 1997, he received an honorary degree from the Minnesota State Community and Technical College, Moorhead.
Donald was one of those cool guys from the 50s who rolled up his "pack" in the sleeve of his tee shirt, liked to cruise the streets in a nice car (classics, now) and liked his girlfriend, Evonne, sitting by his side. He was a smooth dancer and a good guy. He had the recognition for being the "best dressed" in his school days and continued to enjoy wearing a suit, a scarf in the pocket and a beautiful tie. He loved growing beautiful flowers and plants, often receiving distinction for his beautiful yards. Throughout his life he suffered with many health issues, but with the help of his family, who cared for and loved him, he remained hopeful and courageous to the end. Most all of his life, he had a dog by his side. He leaves Mitzi, who was his companion through the many weeks and months that he was unable to be out of bed.
He is survived by his wife of fifty years, Evonne, Moorhead; daughter, Shawn (Paul) Erickson, Dilworth, MN; son, Paul (Jodi) Barnum, Bismarck, ND; daughter, Sherry (Brent) Kramer, Baxter, MN; sister and brother-in-law, Delores and Gerald Beyers, Audubon, MN; sister-in-law, Jeanette Breuer, Mooreton, ND; and brother-in-law, Eugene Kurtz, Fargo; six grandchildren, Emily (Andrew) McCallum, Grand Forks, ND, Shelby Nokken, Baxter, Sean Nokken, Baxter, Grant Barnum, Bismarck, Brittany Barnum, Bismarck, and Braden Kramer, Baxter; two aunts; and nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Janice Syverson; a brother, Paul; a niece, Tammy Chaput; and a nephew, Jason Syverson.
Visitation for Donald will be Monday, November 21, 2011, from 5 - 7 PM, with a prayer service at 7 PM, in Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead. The Funeral Mass will be Tuesday, November 22, 2011, at 10:30 AM, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Moorhead. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, Moorhead.
Donald "Duke" A. Barnum was born September 7, 1941, in Breckenridge, MN, and passed away November 13, 2011, at Kindred Hospital, Fargo, ND. The youngest child of Hilda (Ehlert) and Milburn Barnum, he lived his young life with his family north of Breckenridge. Donald attended country grade school and graduated from Breckenridge High School in 1959. He farmed with his father and spent part of his summers custom combining in the midwest. He attended North Dakota State College of Science, Wahpeton, ND, graduating with an Associate of Science Degree in Marketing in 1971. He graduated in 1975, from Moorhead State University, Cum Laude, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing Education.
Donald married Evonne Kurtz of Breckenridge, on August 28, 1961, at St. Mary's Church, Breckenridge. The couple had three children. From 1959-1970, Don was self-employed, farming in Breckenridge, along with owning and operating a service station from 1959 - 1963, and co-owning and operating a pizza shop in Breckenridge from 1964-1968. In 1971, the couple moved with their family to Moorhead, MN, where Don worked for Overvold Motors and with his brother-in-law, Gerald Beyers, in the landscaping business. In 1978, Gerald and Donald created the corporation, ABC Seamless. Don served as Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager until 1992, when he sold his share of the business due to poor health.
Donald served in many leadership roles over the years, including: first president of the Future Farmers of America - Breckenridge High School, charter member and president of the Breckenridge Jaycees, District 9 vice president of the Minnesota Jaycees, District 9 vice president of the National Farmer's Organization, president of the Fargo Moorhead Homebuilders and national director of the National Remodelers Association. He served as a board member for the North Dakota Arthritis Foundation, Moorhead Community and Technical College Foundation, and the ND State Homebuilders Association.
He received the Builder of the Year Award in 1984 from the FM Homebuilders and the Grand Spike Homebuilders National Award for recruiting over 150 lifetime members. In 1997, he received an honorary degree from the Minnesota State Community and Technical College, Moorhead.
Donald was one of those cool guys from the 50s who rolled up his "pack" in the sleeve of his tee shirt, liked to cruise the streets in a nice car (classics, now) and liked his girlfriend, Evonne, sitting by his side. He was a smooth dancer and a good guy. He had the recognition for being the "best dressed" in his school days and continued to enjoy wearing a suit, a scarf in the pocket and a beautiful tie. He loved growing beautiful flowers and plants, often receiving distinction for his beautiful yards. Throughout his life he suffered with many health issues, but with the help of his family, who cared for and loved him, he remained hopeful and courageous to the end. Most all of his life, he had a dog by his side. He leaves Mitzi, who was his companion through the many weeks and months that he was unable to be out of bed.
He is survived by his wife of fifty years, Evonne, Moorhead; daughter, Shawn (Paul) Erickson, Dilworth, MN; son, Paul (Jodi) Barnum, Bismarck, ND; daughter, Sherry (Brent) Kramer, Baxter, MN; sister and brother-in-law, Delores and Gerald Beyers, Audubon, MN; sister-in-law, Jeanette Breuer, Mooreton, ND; and brother-in-law, Eugene Kurtz, Fargo; six grandchildren, Emily (Andrew) McCallum, Grand Forks, ND, Shelby Nokken, Baxter, Sean Nokken, Baxter, Grant Barnum, Bismarck, Brittany Barnum, Bismarck, and Braden Kramer, Baxter; two aunts; and nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Janice Syverson; a brother, Paul; a niece, Tammy Chaput; and a nephew, Jason Syverson.
Visitation for Donald will be Monday, November 21, 2011, from 5 - 7 PM, with a prayer service at 7 PM, in Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead. The Funeral Mass will be Tuesday, November 22, 2011, at 10:30 AM, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Moorhead. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, Moorhead.
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