Don moved to Denver in 1950 after graduating high school, and started working at Gates Rubber Company in 1951 where he worked until he retired.
His beloved wife Norma passed away one month and 20 days before him at their home on June 4, 2021.
He is survived by his eldest daughter Linda Diane Burke and her husband Mike, grandson Tory, his youngest brother Dale Kochenower and wife Sharon in Nebraska, brother Bobby Kochenower in Utah, and sister Darlene Gullicson of Colorado; stepdaughter Tracy Stears and husband Chris, and several loving grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Don had many loves in his life, he played guitar and sang for many years with his little brother Dale in their band. He was a great Square dancer and coached a little league baseball team. In the true spirit of his giving nature he worked on a volunteer ambulance and fire department for many years in Indian Hills Colorado. Don was a proud Mason in one of the oldest Masonic chapters in Colorado.
Don married Norma December 10, 1977, that begin a wonderful life that they shared traveling and enjoying the warm weather of their second home in Arizona. Don enjoyed playing a lot of golf until the age 85; in fact many people said he could have easily played pro. Another less notable past time was the hours spent enjoying slot machines in Black Hawk.
Certainly most of all Don loved his family, friends, wonderful neighbors, and their puppies.
Don will be missed everyday by all those who love him so much.
