Obituary for Donald Budlong

It is with heavy hearts that the Don Budlong family shares his passing on February 27, 2026. He was 17 days shy of turning 98. He departed peacefully next to the love of his life,Trudy, who he adored for 73 years. It's difficult to write this solely about Dad because there is no Don Budlong without Trudy Budlong. 

Dad was born on March 15,1928 to Roy and Mary Budlong in Titonka, Iowa in the Budlong family home. Years later Dad and Mom would raise their family of four; Deb, Rhonda, Roy and Susan; in the same family home. There have been 9 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren who have had visits and stays on the farm to his absolute delight. Nothing made Dad happier than to watch the next generations soak up everything the Budlong farm can offer a child. 

Dad left behind an unexpected gift - a tape recording narrating important dates in his life. It begins with a long pause and he gets quite emotional when expressing that the best day in his life was the day he married Trudy Toggweiler on December 27, 1952. Dad professed that she changed his life completely and their marriage made for a wonderful life together. In a moment very unlike my father, he was at a loss for words. He expressed his admiration for Mom, her unwavering strength through the hardest of times, her selflessness and her impressive contributions to the community. He spoke with pride of the wonderful job she had done raising four children and he thanked her for being the most understanding, patient and loving partner he could ever ask for. This is how my father's "My Life" tape started; by honoring my mother.

Dad and Mom loved to travel; Hawaii, Spain, Alaska, Fiji, France, Switzerland, Canada, New Zealand, Germany, Brazil, Bahamas, Antigua and almost every state in the country. But Dad's favorite trips were the ones we took as a family to Bull Shoals, Arkansas where we spent a week in the summer water skiing with relatives from both sides of the family. Dad would often wonder how many people he taught how to ski over the years. Dad was so elated when all 6 members of our family got up behind his Alumacraft boat. It was an exercise in trial and error but to no surprise, Dad was determined to succeed. These vacations were sheer heaven for Dad.

There are obvious highlights in my father's past. He was an accomplished businessman. When he was engaged in raising cattle, he was one of the largest cattle operators in Kossuth County. To make cattle buying trips less taxing on himself and Mom, he got his pilot's license. And then he became instrument rated. Dad absolutely loved flying. He was Vice President of the Iowa Beef Producers, an organization he was dedicated to advancing. Dad was also known for calling out mismanagement. There have got to be some Letter to the Editor gems somewhere. I'll leave it at that.

Dad graduated from Iowa State College in '49, Animal Husbandry, where he was an active member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. Iowa State plays a large part in the Budlong family and Mom and Dad were involved in many aspects of the university. Education has been encouraged and promoted by Mom and Dad and they were proud that all four children are graduates of ISU.  Mom and Dad established The Budlong Scholarship Fund which will be gifted in perpetuity for deserving students entering the Music and Animal Science Departments. Dad's fraternity recognized him during Homecoming 2024 for being the oldest living AGR and for the generous gift  of the Budlong Scholarship which will impact countless students. The highlight of the event was seeing his grandchildren in attendance. And for them, they saw their grandfather in a new light. And they saw one hundred others in the same room acknowledge their grandfather's dedication to fraternity and benevolence with a standing ovation. The pride on their faces spoke volumes.

This is my father - his unconditional and palpable love for my mother; his adoration of his family and his commitment, alongside Mom, to share their successes with those deserving of a chance they may not otherwise receive. His accomplishments and accolades contributed to the man he became but his core and character made him 'Dad'. This is made absolutely obvious when listening to him describe in detail the love and devotion he has for my mother. It's the greatest gift and legacy he can leave for the next generations of Budlongs: Leave no doubt of the love you have for the ones close to your heart.

Even in death he had the last word.  An undeniable life lesson about love.
-Susan