Born at the family home on July 13, 1934, Donald Eugene Zwirn became the oldest son of Walter and Anna Korf Zwirn. After an extended illness, he passed from this life on March 11, 2025 in Yuma, Colorado at Harmony Home.
After graduating from the Lone Star School. Don went to Oregon for a season of strawberry picking. When he returned home, he worked in the oil field as a tool pusher.
Five years after graduation, the Army caught up with him. Don was drafted in 1957, being stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas for basic training before his permanent post at Fort Polk, Louisiana. He served in the parts battalion and was honorably discharged two years later, just prior to the United States becoming involved in the Vietnam War.
Upon returning home, Don began farming and raising livestock, which was his livelihood. On May 29th, 1961, Don and Joyce Aileen Fryrear, eloped and were married in Raton, New Mexico. The marriage lasted 60 years before Joyce passed away on January 29, 2022. Into this farming and ranching culture, Don and Joyce raised two sons, Russell and Richard, who both continue in their father’s footsteps.
The family lived on the Lone Star highway, several miles west of the school until the 1970’s when Don bought the Geiland place. That included a section of ground with a house, barn, and Quonset, located in the Rock Creek precinct of Washington County north of Otis. Uncle Fritz Korf witched the location of a new irrigation well.
During the 1990’s, Don got involved in the sheep business, hauling cull ewes to Mexico always returning with a load of cattle, roping steers, horses or the like to be sold. On the return trip, a package of Mexican cheese was always on board.
Don served on two boards which directly related to his career interests, the Yuma Federal Land Bank Board of Directors as well as the W-Y Water Board.
Both Don and Joyce were proud of their grandchildren as they followed them from the show rings at the County Fairs to the sports venues at the high school. When Don wasn’t following grandkids, he could be found eating pie at Mom’s Kitchen in Otis or playing cards at the Yuma Pool Hall.
Don was preceded in death by his wife Joyce, his parents Walter and Anna Zwirn, his in-laws William and Marjorie Fryrear, his brother Keith Zwirn, sisters and brothers in-law Donna and Billy Oliver, Billie and Sherry Fryrear, and Chuck Toyne.
To carry on the family legacy, Don leaves his sons Russell (debbie) Zwirn of Otis, Colorado, and Richard (Angie) Zwirn of Yuma, Colorado. Grandchildren Levi (Morgan) Zwirn and great-grandson Stetson Zwirn of Otis, Colorado, Brody Zwirn of Otis, Colorado, Tylyn Zwirn of Yuma, Colorado, and sister-in-law Jean Toyne of Sedgwick, Colorado, along with nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
A funeral service was held at 2 p.m. on March 18, 2025 in the Yuma Community of Christ Church at 507 S. Albany Street with Elders Sue Mueller and Mitchell Korf officiating. Internment followed in the Yuma Cemetery under the direction of Baucke Funeral Home, Yuma Colorado.