Don Buley of Albert Lea passed away Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018, at the age of 70. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Bonnerup Funeral Home in Albert Lea. Interment will follow at Hollandale Cemetery. The Rev. Jeff Phelps will officiate. Military honors will be accorded by Albert Lea area veterans organizations. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday and one hour before the memorial service.

Don was born Dec. 1, 1947, to Byron and Tish (Leighty) Buley. He graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1966 and Mankato State University in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science in sociology. Don was a major in the Minnesota National Guard and U.S. Army Reserves, working his way up as an enlisted soldier prior to his officer commissioning. He served 27 years and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal. Known as a person of high intelligence and down-to-earth interests, Don was as comfortable discussing history as he was NASCAR. His life was marked by close friendships, a love of dogs and a deep commitment to family.

Don married his college sweetheart, Jan Rundle, on Oct. 29, 1972. They had three children, Matthew, Melissa and Makala. They made a home in Albert Lea and were married 36 years until Jan’s passing in August 2009.

God brought blessing out of heartache when Don married Linda Ogdahl on Feb. 26, 2016, after years of friendship and each having lost a spouse. Linda was a tireless advocate for Don after his cancer diagnosis in April and subsequent stroke.

Don is survived by his wife, Linda Buley, of Albert Lea; son, Matt, and his wife, Theresa, and their children, Remir, Mary Joy, Mark, Raymund of Rock Valley, Iowa; daughter, Melissa Ausen, and her husband, Josh, and their children Max and Ashton, of Albert Lea; daughter, Makala Hanson, and her husband, Corey, and their children, Lalani, Jude and Annabelle; brother, John Buley and his wife, Sharon, of Albert Lea.

He is preceded in death by Jan, his parents and brother, Byron Buley.

Memorials are preferred to the Children’s Shelter of Cebu.