He was born on Dec. 17, 1932 in Marcus, Iowa to parents, Leland and Lucille Dorr Grauer. Don was raised and attended school in Marcus, Iowa and then worked on the family farm. He was united in marriage to Patricia L. Rembe on June 14, 1954 in Marcus, Iowa. Don served in the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Leonard, Missouri until his honorable discharge. They moved to Vancouver, Wash., in 1960 and Don worked in the livestock yard in Portland. They later lived in Proebstel, Battle Ground, and Goldendale, Wash. Don worked in real estate and owned a motel in Goldendale from 1972 until 1978 when they moved to Hermiston. In Hermiston, they owned the Dunes Motel, partnered in NW Livestock, and built the Big Red Mini Mart stores. He retired and enjoyed bowling, fishing, hunting, and taking his grandchildren to sell watermelons and cantaloupe at the farmers market. Don was a longtime member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hermiston.
He is survived by his 3 daughters: Debbie Mutton, Goldendale, WA, Suzy Waters, Kennewick, WA, and Jill Barnes, Goldendale, WA; sister: Eva Coburn, Phoenix, AZ; 6 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, wife, brothers: Eldon & Floyd, and sisters: Lola, Vera, & Thelma.
A funeral service was held on Monday, Jan. 4 at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hermiston.
Burial followed at the Hermiston Cemetery.
Please sigh the online guest book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
