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Permanent LinkRepresentative Donovan W. Burington View All Years
DONOVAN W. BURINGTON
Mr. Speaker: Your committee, appointed to prepare a suitable resolution commemorating the life, character, and public service of the late Honorable Donovan W. Burington, begs leave to submit the following memorial:
Mr. Burington was born October 25, 1908 in Pocahontas, Iowa. He graduated from Spencer High School and the University of Iowa Law School. He practiced law in Sioux City until 1934, when at the age of 26, he was elected to the Iowa Legislature serving Woodbury County during the 46th General Assembly. Mr. Burington served two years as Assistant Attorney General for the state before returning to Spencer to practice law in the firm of Burington & Avery.
In 1937, he married Jeanne Tesdell. Don served 33 months in the U.S. Navy during World War II. In 1946, he joined the law firm of Westfall, Laird and Burington in Mason City. He served as president of the Cerro Gordo County Bar Association, the District Bar Association and the Iowa State Bar Association from 1969-1970.
In 1961, he was elected a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers. From 1973 to 1978, he was president of the Iowa Law School Foundation. He was the recipient of the Hancher-Finkbine Medallion, in 1978, which is granted annually to an alumnus of the University of Iowa based on leadership, learning and loyalty.
Donovan Burington died March 30, 1998. Survivors include his wife, Jeanne Burington, Mason City; two daughters, Anne Dillaber, Denver, Colorado; and Jane Coutts (husband, Stephen), Rancho Santa Fe, California; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. His parents and one brother preceded him in death.
Now Therefore, Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Seventy-eighth General Assembly of Iowa, That in the passing of the Honorable Donovan W. Burington, the State has lost an honored citizen and a faithful and useful public servant, and the House by this Resolution would express its appreciation of his service.
Be It Further Resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be spread upon the Journal of the House, and that the Chief Clerk be directed to forward an enrolled copy to the family of the deceased.
STEVEN WARNSTADT
CHRISTOPHER RANTS
WESLEY WHITEAD
Committee