Donald Logan "Gurney" McBurney

Donald Logan "Gurney" McBurney passed away on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at Essentia Health in Fargo, North Dakota, after a brief but valiant battle with stomach cancer.

Don was born in Des Moines, Iowa, to Bettie (Perisho) and Donald W. McBurney on July 6, 1957. The family lived in Urbandale, Bettendorf, and Mediapolis, Iowa, before moving to Nevis, Minnesota, in 1967, then to Park Rapids, Minnesota, in 1973. Don graduated from Park Rapids Area High School in 1976 and went on to vo-tech college in Brainerd, Minnesota, graduating in 1978. Upon returning to Park Rapids, he held many jobs before finally starting his own bicycle shop, Gurney's Rental and Repair. Upon closing his business, he entered the field of real estate for a few years, before returning to a job he loved, truck driving. He drove long haul for Schaefer Auto in Menahga, Minnesota and Willy Jensen Trucking in Osage, Minnesota. He also drove as an independent driver for RDO during the potato harvest season for many years.

In 1979, Don was united in marriage to Diana Lynn Smith, and their union blessed them with three beautiful daughters, Jennifer, Katie, and Sarah. In 2001, Don met Sherry Monaghan, and they spent 23 years together. Don enjoyed riding his Honda Goldwing motorcycle, driving his classic 1972 Dodge Dart Swinger, going to classic car shows, traveling, deer hunting and camping.

Don is survived by his long term partner, Sherry Monaghan, his children, Jennifer McBurney (RJ Whiteowl), Katie (Travis) Kohlrusch, and Sarah McBurney, as well as six grandchildren, Diona, Ty, Draven, Rey, Natalie, and Emmett, and his siblings, Judy Schroden, Robert (Kim) McBurney, and Suzanne (Bryan) Styve, as well as a nephew, Michael Schroden.