Donald Eugene Gurtner

He was born on August 2, 1939 on the family farm in Waterloo, Indiana, to the late Bruce and Luella (Duncan) Gurtner.

Don graduated from Waterloo High School in 1957.

He married Rose Marie Surface on August 15, 1959 at Mt. Pleasant Church, Butler, Indiana. She preceded him in death on March 10, 2018.

Don and Rose moved to Steuben County in 1961, living in Pleasant Lake, and later in Fremont.

He was a lifetime dairy farmer serving 35 years on dairy co-op boards representing dairy farmers in Indiana. He served 35 years on the American Dairy Association of Indiana, 20 years as Association President. Don was the first dairy farmer to present a bottle of milk to the winner of the Indianapolis 500. He also served on the Cattleman’s Beef Board, and served 6 years on the National Dairy Board, which was appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture. Don served 32 years on the Steuben County REMC Board. He was a member of the Steuben County Antique Tractor Club. Don was proud that he was able to cross the Mackinaw Bridge on his Antique Oliver Tractor three times. He also loved all of the families tractors, and was a big IU basketball fan.

Survivors include a son, Darrel (Tracy) Gurtner of Wolcottville, Indiana, daughter-in-law, Carey Gurtner of Fremont, Indiana, former daughter-in-law, Tawnya Gurtner of Angola, Indiana, six grandchildren, Brigham (Jennifer) Gurtner, Tiffany (Travis) Burkhart, Amber (Aaron) Lamble, Kyle Gurtner, Austin Gurtner, and Lucas Gurtner, four great-grandchildren, Clara Rose Burkhart, Cooper James Burkhart, Emmett James Lamble, and Alice Rose Lamble, brothers, John Gurtner of Waterloo, Indiana, Larry (Phyllis) Gurtner of Auburn, Indiana, and many nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by sons, Dwight “Pete” Gurtner, and Duane “Odie” Gurtner.

Visitation will be from 4 pm until 7 pm Friday, February 9, 2024 at Beams Funeral Home, Fremont, Indiana. There will also be one hour of visitation prior to the service Saturday, February 10, 2024 from 10 am until 11 am at the funeral home.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 am Saturday, February 10, 2024 at Beams Funeral Home, Fremont, Indiana. Evangelist Scott Saltsman and Pastor Mark Eicher will officiate the service.

Burial will follow at Jamestown Cemetery, Fremont, Indiana.

Memorial donations in his memory may be directed to the Community Humane Shelter of Steuben County, P.O. Box 204, Angola, Indiana or to the Steuben County 4-H Foundation, 317 S. Wayne Street, Suite 1A, Angola, Indiana 46703.