Burford, Hubert DeVere

BURFORD, WOODY, DEMPSEY, LEMON, ZYZANSKI

Posted By: Mary Welty Hart (email)
Date: 3/29/2006 at 16:42:35

Des Moines Register, Des Moines, Iowa
September 25, 2005

HUBERT DEVERE BURFORD, Des Moines

Hubert DeVere Burford, 80, passed from this life on Friday, September 23, 2005 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, September 27 at Highland Park Christian Church, with interment at Pine Hill Cemetery.

Hubert was born June 17, 1925, the fifth and last child of Thomas and Hazel Burford in Stettler, Alberta, Canada. He spent his first years on the family's cattle ranch there, helping with the ranch and attending a one room country schoolhouse. Later, the family moved to Winterset, Iowa where Hubert played football as a Winterset Husky. Upon graduation from high school, he entered the Army, serving his country honorably. When he returned, he became a professional Firefighter with the City of Des Moines, following a long standing family tradition. He was on the Fire Department for 30 years until he retired in 1981.

On November 1, 1952, Hubert married the love of his life, Frieda Jo. They were each other's best friend and partners in life for almost 53 years. They became the parents of three children, Dave, Lynn, and Michael. They devoted themselves to their family, showing them unconditional love and how to live life to the fullest.

Hubert's passion for life included a great love for family, fishing, camping, nature, jazz, dancing and sports.

He is survived by his wife, Frieda, a son, David (Deborah); daughter, Lynn (Matthew); seven grandchildren, Jesse Woody, Elisabeth (Jay) Dempsey, Tiffany Burford, Alexa (Paul) Lemon, Brook Burford, Haley Burford, and Teale Burford; and one great grandchild, Zacharey Zyzanski. He was preceded in death by his son, Michael.

Hubert faced life with courage and humor. We will miss him but we know he is in a better place. Until we meet again ....