Donald Rayburn

Donald Rayburn, 69, of Hurley, SD went to be with his creator and loving wife on March 23, 2016 after a battle with Parkinson’s / Dementia. A prayer service with Masonic Rights will be held at 7:00 PM on Sunday, March 27th at Grace Lutheran Church in Parker, SD with family visitation from 5:00-7:00. Funeral services will be held on Monday March 28, 2016 at 11:00 AM at Grace Lutheran, with burial preceding at 10:00 AM at the Hurley Cemetery. Arrangements by Hofmeister Jones Funeral Home. Donald Dale Rayburn was born September 7, 1946 in Sioux Falls, SD. He was the second of four children born to Max and Betty (Heldenbrand) Rayburn. He graduated from Hurley High School. He went on to South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD where he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in AG Business. While at college, he met Lila Nicholauson. They were married in Sisseton on September 12, 1969. Don and Lila had 2 children, Paul and Carmen. They raised their kids on the family farm in Hurley where Don farmed and ran a hog operation with Don’s father Max and brother Steve. Don continued farming up until 2013. Throughout his life, Don was involved with Pork Producers, Flying Farmers, and the Masonic Lodge. He was also an active member of Grace Lutheran Church. Don loved spending time with his 5 very busy grandchildren. Don had a passion for flying. He earned his pilots license in 1963. Between 1963 and 1983 he compiled nearly 2000 hours of flight time. Over 700 of which as a flight instructor. Some of Don’s more adventurous flying was during the summer of 1966 as an Ag-Pilot and the summers of 1967 and 1968 flying for the Forest Service in Missoula MT. Perhaps, his most enjoyable time was spent flying his Aeronca Champ off the grass runway on the family farm. Don enlisted in the South Dakota Air National Guard (1967) and the United States Air Force (1969) and received an Honorable Discharge due to medical reasons. He was preceded in death by his parents Max and Betty, and wife Lila. Survivors include his children Paul (Jennifer) Rayburn of Bennett, CO, and Carmen (Luke) Pulscher of Hot Springs, SD. Five grandchildren; Alexis and Connor (Paul) and Wyatt, Taylor, and Senay (Carmen). Also surviving are two brothers, Robert (Steve) Rayburn of Hurley, SD and Richard (Dick) Rayburn of Yankton, SD, and one sister, Carol Rayburn of Cave Creek, AZ. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Grace Lutheran Church in Parker, Dow Rummel Village in Sioux Falls, or the Hurley Masonic Lodge.