Donald Howard Newton

Donald Howard Newton

Donald Howard Newton, 74, of Newton, went to his heavenly home on Wednesday (July 22, 2009).

Don was born on July 24, 1934, in Aitkin, Minn., the second child of four born to Andrew Newton (1898-1980) and Hildur Johanna Gustafva Lindau (1906-1991), married Dec. 28, 1926. Donald's father was the 10th child of Knute N. Newton (1847-1946) and Martha Knutson (1854-1941), pioneer farmers in Waseca and Polk counties in Minnesota. Don's great-grandfather, Bjorgulf Knudson Næsland, immigrated to Wisconsin from the Setesdal Valley, Aust-Agder County in southern Norway in August 1845. Bjorgulf and a few related families traveled from the east coast down the Erie Canal then overland via ox cart to Dane County, Wis. A few years later, Bjorgulf moved his young family to Waseca County in southern Minnesota, changing the family name to Newton. Donald always was proud of his Norwegian and Swedish heritage.

Donald grew up farming in Aitkin County, Minn., graduating from Aitkin High School in 1952, where he lettered in basketball despite his 5-feet, 6-inch height. In the summer of 1956, he worked the open pit iron mines and did odd jobs on summer break from the University of Minnesota in Duluth. It was then he met the love of his life, Janet, as she came out of the water onto a floating raft at Cleadden's Cove on Lake Hamlet, Minn. They were married on Dec. 28, 1957, in Mound, Minn., and settled in Duluth. Don graduated from UMD in 1960.

Answering the call of his country, he joined the U.S. Army in 1961 as a second lieutenant, serving in the Army Nurse Corps as a certified registered nurse anesthetist. Don's military service included Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.; 97th General Hospital in Frankfurt, West Germany (two tours); Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianpolis; 5th General Hospital in Stuttgart, West Germany; Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center in Aurora, Colo.; Honduras; Kenner Army Hospital in Fort Lee, Va.; and William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, Texas.

Don graduated the Army Command & General Staff College in 1982. Lt. Col. Newton retired in May 1989 with more than 20 years active service on three continents. He established a tradition of military service in the family. His awards include the Joint Service Commendation Medal (JSCM), the Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster (ARCOM 1OLC), and the Army Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster (AAM 1OLC).

Don enjoyed the outdoors. He shared that love with his family through numerous camping, canoeing, hunting and fishing excursions. He had a passion for golf. There wasn't a golf course he didn't like or want to play. When his health changed, he stayed busy with less-demanding hobbies, including wood carving and woodworking. After waiting 14 months, Don received a lung transplant on July 2, 1994. Despite other health obstacles - a heart attack, coronary bypass surgery, a broken hip and pneumonia - he fought to remain as active as possible. In fact, he played golf in two Transplant Olympics and spoke to different groups about organ donation with his wife, Jan. Despite these 'minor' health problems, his passion for golf still found him on the links, even if only for a few holes. When he no longer could get out to the course, he got his golf fix vicariously by watching the Golf Channel in the living room.

Don walked with Christ all through his life. Wherever they were stationed or lived, Don and Jan volunteered in their Lutheran church and the community.

He is survived by Janet, his wife of 52 years; their four children, retired Army 1st Sgt. Jon M. (Teri) of Burien, Wash., Karen N. Rogers (retired Air Force Tech. Sgt. Kelii) of Cañon City, Colo., Andrew S. (Sallyann) of Farmer City, Ill., and Army Lt. Col. Jane Ann Hutson (Army Col. Marc) of Peyton, Colo.; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; his brother, Herman (Karen) of Aitkin; sister, Jeanne Trumbull (Tom) of Big Fork, Mont.; and nine nieces and nephews.

Don was preceded in death by his parents and older sister, Lorraine Paynovich (Joseph).

Cremation arrangements are by Holt Funeral Home in Cañon City, Colo. A Celebration of Life is planned for this fall in Colorado. A military marker will be placed in Spencer Cemetery in Aitkin near his parents.

We are grateful for the precious 15 years with our husband and father made possible by the generous gift of life from a young man taken by a motorcycle accident. We encourage everyone to register as an organ and tissue donor. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the National Foundation for Transplants at www.transplants.org/Donations.php.