Donna Mae (Baldenecker) Burr, Smith
FIRST WOMAN BUGLER IN THE U.S. MILITARY
********************
SGT Smith was the Army's first female bugler while a member of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps in 1942 at Fort Des Moines, Iowa.
from 1942 to 1943 She was part of the WAAC training center's band, whose purpose was to recruit women for the WAAC (later renamed the Women's Army Corps) and train band members for posts that were opening in other states. Smith said she joined the Army because she wanted to help save the country.
*********************
Longtime Sutherlin resident Donna-Mae (Baldenecker) Burr, Smith, a WWII Veteran and the First Woman Bugler in the United States Military, passed away in Roseburg, Oregon on April 3, 2010. She was 90 years old.
She was born on January 3, 1920 in Manly Iowa. From 1935-1938 she played trumpet with the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing (3M) Company band and in the Payne Avenue and Brown and Bigelow Drum and Bugle Corp. She graduated from High School in St. Paul Park, Minnesota in 1938 and went on to attended Minneapolis School of Music, Univ. of Minnesota and Pierce College.
In 1942 she enlisted in the military to play in the military band. She rose to the rank of Sergeant while serving in the WAAC Band from 1942–1943 as solo trumpet at Fort Des Moines, Iowa where she earned honor of first woman bugler in the U.S. Military. She awakened the troops with reveille, sounded the calls for the day and played taps in the evening.
Donna-Mae married Cpl. Robert M. Burr while in the military. They had two sons, Craig R. Burr and Kevin Lance Burr. After her tour of duty, she joined the Hormel Company in 1945, and traveled with the all girls drum and bugle corps to NYC for the American Legion Parade and is featured in the Hormel Company museum. The Burr's moved to the San Fernando Valley in California in 1951. Her son, Kevin, passed away in 1955 from acute Leukemia and her husband passed away from lung cancer in Jan 1964.
Donna-Mae held the position of Sr. Financial Manager with the Los Angeles Board of Education for 14 years. Donna-Mae married Edgar H. Smith in December 1964, and in 1969, they moved to the Placerville, California area, where she established a successful fruitcake business known as "Donna's Delight". At that time, she was employed by the El Dorado County Auditing Dept.
Donna-Mae and Edgar moved to Nevada in 1973 living first in Steamboat and then in Fernley. Bakers Interior Design Studio employed her for 10 years as their office manager, after which she worked for the Fernley, Nevada Water and Sewer Department where she worked as bookkeeper. Edgar worked for the Fernley School District. In 1991 they both retired and became snowbirds for one year until they landed in Oregon and decided to stay.
Donna-Mae became a member of the American Legion, Post 15 (Oakland, Oregon) and also served as Post Commander. She was a member of American Women Veterans Association, and AMVETS. Donna-Mae was a member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha International Sorority, Beta Iota Chapter for over 55 years and was also a member of the Eastern Star. Donna-Mae took up porcelain painting in 1984, and after moving to Oregon, resumed the art. She played taps with the VFW Honor Guard for veteran's funerals in the Roseburg area since 1992.
In June, 2009 she was inducted into the Bugler's Hall of Fame.
Preceding her in death were her parents Walter H. Baldenecker and Florence (Moody) Baldenecker, her son Kevin Burr (at age 7), and her sisters Helen Petschl and Marylou Baldenecker.
She is survived by her son (LIVING), her stepchildren (LIVING), (LIVING), (LIVING)and (LIVING). She is also survived by twelve grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at 2:00 pm at the Roseburg VA National Cemetery. Officiating will be Pastor Keith Williams. Military Rites will be offered by the VFW District Twelve Honor Guard
(obit written by Linda Acrey and published in the News-Review Roseburg, Douglas County, Oregon)
----
Sisters:
Helen (Baldenecker) Petschl (1916-1993) Memorial# 120324728
Clarice Elizabeth Baldenecker (1918-1918)Manly, Iowa
Mary Lou Baldenecker (1921-1994)died in Ventura, California
FIRST WOMAN BUGLER IN THE U.S. MILITARY
********************
SGT Smith was the Army's first female bugler while a member of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps in 1942 at Fort Des Moines, Iowa.
from 1942 to 1943 She was part of the WAAC training center's band, whose purpose was to recruit women for the WAAC (later renamed the Women's Army Corps) and train band members for posts that were opening in other states. Smith said she joined the Army because she wanted to help save the country.
*********************
Longtime Sutherlin resident Donna-Mae (Baldenecker) Burr, Smith, a WWII Veteran and the First Woman Bugler in the United States Military, passed away in Roseburg, Oregon on April 3, 2010. She was 90 years old.
She was born on January 3, 1920 in Manly Iowa. From 1935-1938 she played trumpet with the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing (3M) Company band and in the Payne Avenue and Brown and Bigelow Drum and Bugle Corp. She graduated from High School in St. Paul Park, Minnesota in 1938 and went on to attended Minneapolis School of Music, Univ. of Minnesota and Pierce College.
In 1942 she enlisted in the military to play in the military band. She rose to the rank of Sergeant while serving in the WAAC Band from 1942–1943 as solo trumpet at Fort Des Moines, Iowa where she earned honor of first woman bugler in the U.S. Military. She awakened the troops with reveille, sounded the calls for the day and played taps in the evening.
Donna-Mae married Cpl. Robert M. Burr while in the military. They had two sons, Craig R. Burr and Kevin Lance Burr. After her tour of duty, she joined the Hormel Company in 1945, and traveled with the all girls drum and bugle corps to NYC for the American Legion Parade and is featured in the Hormel Company museum. The Burr's moved to the San Fernando Valley in California in 1951. Her son, Kevin, passed away in 1955 from acute Leukemia and her husband passed away from lung cancer in Jan 1964.
Donna-Mae held the position of Sr. Financial Manager with the Los Angeles Board of Education for 14 years. Donna-Mae married Edgar H. Smith in December 1964, and in 1969, they moved to the Placerville, California area, where she established a successful fruitcake business known as "Donna's Delight". At that time, she was employed by the El Dorado County Auditing Dept.
Donna-Mae and Edgar moved to Nevada in 1973 living first in Steamboat and then in Fernley. Bakers Interior Design Studio employed her for 10 years as their office manager, after which she worked for the Fernley, Nevada Water and Sewer Department where she worked as bookkeeper. Edgar worked for the Fernley School District. In 1991 they both retired and became snowbirds for one year until they landed in Oregon and decided to stay.
Donna-Mae became a member of the American Legion, Post 15 (Oakland, Oregon) and also served as Post Commander. She was a member of American Women Veterans Association, and AMVETS. Donna-Mae was a member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha International Sorority, Beta Iota Chapter for over 55 years and was also a member of the Eastern Star. Donna-Mae took up porcelain painting in 1984, and after moving to Oregon, resumed the art. She played taps with the VFW Honor Guard for veteran's funerals in the Roseburg area since 1992.
In June, 2009 she was inducted into the Bugler's Hall of Fame.
Preceding her in death were her parents Walter H. Baldenecker and Florence (Moody) Baldenecker, her son Kevin Burr (at age 7), and her sisters Helen Petschl and Marylou Baldenecker.
She is survived by her son (LIVING), her stepchildren (LIVING), (LIVING), (LIVING)and (LIVING). She is also survived by twelve grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at 2:00 pm at the Roseburg VA National Cemetery. Officiating will be Pastor Keith Williams. Military Rites will be offered by the VFW District Twelve Honor Guard
(obit written by Linda Acrey and published in the News-Review Roseburg, Douglas County, Oregon)
----
Sisters:
Helen (Baldenecker) Petschl (1916-1993) Memorial# 120324728
Clarice Elizabeth Baldenecker (1918-1918)Manly, Iowa
Mary Lou Baldenecker (1921-1994)died in Ventura, California
Donna Mae (Baldenecker) Burr, Smith
FIRST WOMAN BUGLER IN THE U.S. MILITARY
********************
SGT Smith was the Army's first female bugler while a member of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps in 1942 at Fort Des Moines, Iowa.
from 1942 to 1943 She was part of the WAAC training center's band, whose purpose was to recruit women for the WAAC (later renamed the Women's Army Corps) and train band members for posts that were opening in other states. Smith said she joined the Army because she wanted to help save the country.
*********************
Longtime Sutherlin resident Donna-Mae (Baldenecker) Burr, Smith, a WWII Veteran and the First Woman Bugler in the United States Military, passed away in Roseburg, Oregon on April 3, 2010. She was 90 years old.
She was born on January 3, 1920 in Manly Iowa. From 1935-1938 she played trumpet with the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing (3M) Company band and in the Payne Avenue and Brown and Bigelow Drum and Bugle Corp. She graduated from High School in St. Paul Park, Minnesota in 1938 and went on to attended Minneapolis School of Music, Univ. of Minnesota and Pierce College.
In 1942 she enlisted in the military to play in the military band. She rose to the rank of Sergeant while serving in the WAAC Band from 1942–1943 as solo trumpet at Fort Des Moines, Iowa where she earned honor of first woman bugler in the U.S. Military. She awakened the troops with reveille, sounded the calls for the day and played taps in the evening.
Donna-Mae married Cpl. Robert M. Burr while in the military. They had two sons, Craig R. Burr and Kevin Lance Burr. After her tour of duty, she joined the Hormel Company in 1945, and traveled with the all girls drum and bugle corps to NYC for the American Legion Parade and is featured in the Hormel Company museum. The Burr's moved to the San Fernando Valley in California in 1951. Her son, Kevin, passed away in 1955 from acute Leukemia and her husband passed away from lung cancer in Jan 1964.
Donna-Mae held the position of Sr. Financial Manager with the Los Angeles Board of Education for 14 years. Donna-Mae married Edgar H. Smith in December 1964, and in 1969, they moved to the Placerville, California area, where she established a successful fruitcake business known as "Donna's Delight". At that time, she was employed by the El Dorado County Auditing Dept.
Donna-Mae and Edgar moved to Nevada in 1973 living first in Steamboat and then in Fernley. Bakers Interior Design Studio employed her for 10 years as their office manager, after which she worked for the Fernley, Nevada Water and Sewer Department where she worked as bookkeeper. Edgar worked for the Fernley School District. In 1991 they both retired and became snowbirds for one year until they landed in Oregon and decided to stay.
Donna-Mae became a member of the American Legion, Post 15 (Oakland, Oregon) and also served as Post Commander. She was a member of American Women Veterans Association, and AMVETS. Donna-Mae was a member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha International Sorority, Beta Iota Chapter for over 55 years and was also a member of the Eastern Star. Donna-Mae took up porcelain painting in 1984, and after moving to Oregon, resumed the art. She played taps with the VFW Honor Guard for veteran's funerals in the Roseburg area since 1992.
In June, 2009 she was inducted into the Bugler's Hall of Fame.
Preceding her in death were her parents Walter H. Baldenecker and Florence (Moody) Baldenecker, her son Kevin Burr (at age 7), and her sisters Helen Petschl and Marylou Baldenecker.
She is survived by her son (LIVING), her stepchildren (LIVING), (LIVING), (LIVING)and (LIVING). She is also survived by twelve grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at 2:00 pm at the Roseburg VA National Cemetery. Officiating will be Pastor Keith Williams. Military Rites will be offered by the VFW District Twelve Honor Guard
(obit written by Linda Acrey and published in the News-Review Roseburg, Douglas County, Oregon)
----
Sisters:
Helen (Baldenecker) Petschl (1916-1993) Memorial# 120324728
Clarice Elizabeth Baldenecker (1918-1918)Manly, Iowa
Mary Lou Baldenecker (1921-1994)died in Ventura, California
FIRST WOMAN BUGLER IN THE U.S. MILITARY
********************
SGT Smith was the Army's first female bugler while a member of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps in 1942 at Fort Des Moines, Iowa.
from 1942 to 1943 She was part of the WAAC training center's band, whose purpose was to recruit women for the WAAC (later renamed the Women's Army Corps) and train band members for posts that were opening in other states. Smith said she joined the Army because she wanted to help save the country.
*********************
Longtime Sutherlin resident Donna-Mae (Baldenecker) Burr, Smith, a WWII Veteran and the First Woman Bugler in the United States Military, passed away in Roseburg, Oregon on April 3, 2010. She was 90 years old.
She was born on January 3, 1920 in Manly Iowa. From 1935-1938 she played trumpet with the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing (3M) Company band and in the Payne Avenue and Brown and Bigelow Drum and Bugle Corp. She graduated from High School in St. Paul Park, Minnesota in 1938 and went on to attended Minneapolis School of Music, Univ. of Minnesota and Pierce College.
In 1942 she enlisted in the military to play in the military band. She rose to the rank of Sergeant while serving in the WAAC Band from 1942–1943 as solo trumpet at Fort Des Moines, Iowa where she earned honor of first woman bugler in the U.S. Military. She awakened the troops with reveille, sounded the calls for the day and played taps in the evening.
Donna-Mae married Cpl. Robert M. Burr while in the military. They had two sons, Craig R. Burr and Kevin Lance Burr. After her tour of duty, she joined the Hormel Company in 1945, and traveled with the all girls drum and bugle corps to NYC for the American Legion Parade and is featured in the Hormel Company museum. The Burr's moved to the San Fernando Valley in California in 1951. Her son, Kevin, passed away in 1955 from acute Leukemia and her husband passed away from lung cancer in Jan 1964.
Donna-Mae held the position of Sr. Financial Manager with the Los Angeles Board of Education for 14 years. Donna-Mae married Edgar H. Smith in December 1964, and in 1969, they moved to the Placerville, California area, where she established a successful fruitcake business known as "Donna's Delight". At that time, she was employed by the El Dorado County Auditing Dept.
Donna-Mae and Edgar moved to Nevada in 1973 living first in Steamboat and then in Fernley. Bakers Interior Design Studio employed her for 10 years as their office manager, after which she worked for the Fernley, Nevada Water and Sewer Department where she worked as bookkeeper. Edgar worked for the Fernley School District. In 1991 they both retired and became snowbirds for one year until they landed in Oregon and decided to stay.
Donna-Mae became a member of the American Legion, Post 15 (Oakland, Oregon) and also served as Post Commander. She was a member of American Women Veterans Association, and AMVETS. Donna-Mae was a member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha International Sorority, Beta Iota Chapter for over 55 years and was also a member of the Eastern Star. Donna-Mae took up porcelain painting in 1984, and after moving to Oregon, resumed the art. She played taps with the VFW Honor Guard for veteran's funerals in the Roseburg area since 1992.
In June, 2009 she was inducted into the Bugler's Hall of Fame.
Preceding her in death were her parents Walter H. Baldenecker and Florence (Moody) Baldenecker, her son Kevin Burr (at age 7), and her sisters Helen Petschl and Marylou Baldenecker.
She is survived by her son (LIVING), her stepchildren (LIVING), (LIVING), (LIVING)and (LIVING). She is also survived by twelve grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at 2:00 pm at the Roseburg VA National Cemetery. Officiating will be Pastor Keith Williams. Military Rites will be offered by the VFW District Twelve Honor Guard
(obit written by Linda Acrey and published in the News-Review Roseburg, Douglas County, Oregon)
----
Sisters:
Helen (Baldenecker) Petschl (1916-1993) Memorial# 120324728
Clarice Elizabeth Baldenecker (1918-1918)Manly, Iowa
Mary Lou Baldenecker (1921-1994)died in Ventura, California
Inscription
SGT US ARMY
WORLD WAR II
1ST WOMAN BUGLER IN THE US MILITARY
Gravesite Details
Obit initially provided by S. Woods find a grave contributor. Burial by cremation.
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