Donald W. Buethe loosened the chains of this earthly life and joined his Lord in eternal peace on April 19, 2024. He was born on September 15, 1948, to Lillian Wick Buethe and W. Henry Buethe in Victoria, Texas.
At the early age of 11 years old, Don began his newspaper career with the Victoria Advocate as a paper carrier, and later he would become a printer there, before transitioning to The Imprint as a composer. When that paper closed, returned to the Advocate as a salesman where he called on local car dealership accounts. He loved cars and decided he could make more money selling cars than ads so he took a job with Bob Tankersley at the Chrysler/Plymouth dealership. Eventually, he found his way to Atzenhoffer Chevrolet where he retired as inventory manager.
Don married the love of his life, Barbara Parker Buethe on September 11, 1971. They met while working at the Victoria Advocate, and their love blossomed. Less than a year after they began “going together,” the young couple committed to spending their life together. During their 52-year marriage, the couple traveled far and wide. They loved driving vacations, but they also enjoyed the time they spent in Germany, Japan, Puerto Rico, and multiple trips to Hawaii.
He is survived by his adoring wife and nieces, Donna Burger, Debbie Gahagan, and Diane Zandonatti, nephew, Darryl Burger, brother-in-law, Randy Parker, sister-in-law, Lorena Mueller, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister Joan Burger and his nephew David Burger, as well as brothers-in-law, Leslie Parker and Michael Parker, sisters-in-law Florence Ponton, Maxine Fudge, Mildred Ponton, Alma Allen, and Judy Lawrence.
Visitation for Don will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24 at Rosewood Funeral Chapel, and a Rosary will be said immediately following. Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church on Thursday, April 25 at 10:00 a.m.
Pallbearers are Philip Burger, Erik Blohm, Kaiden Prukop, Clint Burger, Michael Zandonatti, Christopher Zandonatti, Zane Barefield and Robert Knetig.
Words of comfort may be shared at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.
