Donald Paul Pangburn

Donald “Donnie” Paul Pangburn, age 68, of Northwood, Iowa, passed away Friday, May 3, 2024, at Mayo Clinic Hospital Rochester, Saint Marys Campus. Donald was born to Milo “Buck” and Beverly (Hicks) Pangburn on December 30, 1955, in Albert Lea, Minnesota. He was raised in Northwood, IA and graduated from Northwood-Kensett High School, where he was a great athlete and made it to State in his junior year for wrestling. He later graduated from NIACC with an associate degree in farm management. Donnie and Bryn Bestul rekindled their young love and became partners in all their future ventures together. They were married on December 29, 1984, at First Lutheran Church in Northwood. Donnie was a giver and a worker. Throughout his life he gave all he had to many jobs and ventures, including farming with his parents, and using his genealogy to breed pigs and cattle as their family had clients from all over the world that would come in. Donnie also worked with Custom Swathing of Hay and Custom AI for cattle. Together with his wife, they managed several businesses, including DP’s Lounge from 1984-1989, Northstar Car and Truck Wash for 30 years, Kraft Foods in Mason City, Northstar Corn Maze for 10 years, Northstar Xpress for 8.5 years, and Northstar Garden Center for 13 years. Currently, he was running Red Boar Ridge Vacation Rentals with his daughter, Paige. Donnie was also a school bus driver and sub for the Northwood-Kensett School District for 35 years. Aside from his extensive work history, his giving spirit found time to serve on the Northwood Country Club Board, Northwood-Kensett School Board, and as a dedicated 4-H leader for many years. Donnie was also a member of the Aristicrats Car Club where he enjoyed showing his 1948 Anglia and his Dodge A100. He could fix anything and was a self-taught mechanic from an early age. This led to a career in dirt track racing starting in 1986, when he was named the IMCA rookie of the year. He made countless friends as he traveled around to local tracks racing sprint cars and modifieds. Donnie found great joy in the time spent with his family, particularly in mentoring his children and numerous area children in showing pigs and cattle, which was a great bonding experience with his children. “Well, I got that green light baby I got to keep moving on.” – Lynard Skynard Donnie is survived by his wife, Bryn Pangburn; children, Dr. Nigel (Lindsay) Millard and their children, Cael, Asher and Halle, Grayson Pangburn, Paige (Kevin) McClure, Peyton Pangburn; cousins, Suzie Pangburn, Jim Steiman and many aunts, uncles, relatives, and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents and his cousin Gary Pangburn. As a true giver he donated his body for research to help someone out he may have never known. A Celebration of Life for Donnie will be held from 1:00-6:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at the Northwood Country Club, 4903 490th St., Northwood, IA 50459. Schroeder-Hoff Funeral Homes, Northwood are assisting the family with arrangements. Memorials and cards may be sent to the funeral home at P.O. Box 164, Northwood, IA 50459. “Well, now they call me the breeze I keep blowing down the road Well, now they call me the breeze I keep blowing down the road I ain't got me nobody I don't carry me no load Ooh-ooh Mr. Breeze” -Lynard Skynard