Donald Eugene Borkenhagen age, 78 of Nixa, Missouri passed away at 5:25 AM Tuesday, March 24, 2026 in Nixa, Missouri. He was born the son of Herbert and Mildred Borkenhagen in Williston, North Dakota.

Don proudly served in the United States Air Force, stationed in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He had many stories of being a loadmaster on a C-130. He later worked as a corporate pilot for Conrad Grain Bins in Iowa.

He moved to Ozark later where he became an entrepreneur and started his first business in Ozark, Profit Lines Communications. He had a stint as a truck driver and logged over a million miles, accident free. He then moved to Branson and had several different business ventures. He built Around the Clock Storage and Branson Auto Sales and retired from both.

He had a love of Harley Davidson Motorcycles, traveling in his RV and later his 2007 Indy Pace car corvette, aptly named “Indy." He loved entering Corvette shows and winning trophies. He loved the corvette activities including local trips and Shine and Dines. The big trip was to Atlantic City with the Corvette Pace Car Registry Club.

Donald was preceded in death by his mother and father, Herbert and Mildred Borkenhagen, and brother-in-law Edwin Middlestead.

 He is survived by his wife Diana Borkenhagen, daughter Tara Lean (husband Eldon), son Mark Borkenhagen, grandchildren Devon Lean (wife Jessica), Madison Lean, Koby Lean, Brett Borkenhagen, Hope Borkenhagen, Gage Borkenhagen, and Dalton Haddock, great-granddaughters Emersyn Mae Haddock and Collins Jae Haddock, sisters Linda Heebner (husband Jeff), Kay Middlestead, Diane Billman, brother Bob Borkenhagen, and several nieces and nephews,  stepchildren Craig Brice (wife Amy), Rob Brice (wife Gayla), TJ Brice (wife Bonnie), step-grandchildren Carson Brice, Anna Brice, Logan Brice (wife Olivia), Lauren Brice, Stanley Brice, Jayme Fox and Sydney Brice.

Memorial service will be held at 1:30 PM Thursday, April 2, 2026 at River Bluff Fellowship with the Pastor Scott Watson officiating under the care of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 12:30 PM until the time service. Graveside service with full military honors will be held at 3:00 PM at Missouri Veterans Cemetery.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to River Bluff Fellowship 2655 E. Farm Rd. 188 Ozark, MO 65721.