Don Toelle spent most of his life in Harney County, ranching, rodeoing, and raising a family. Don was born March 20, 1929, in Linnton, Ore., where his parents, Ferdinand and Mary Toelle, ran a small farm. Don was the second youngest of their seven children. He spent his childhood working and playing on the family farm, attending the local grade school, and then Beaverton High School. Don was always attracted to horses, and as he grew older, he was determined to leave the farm and become a buckaroo.

Don’s life as a cowboy began at age 15, when he and his cousin Richard left Portland and headed east on a Trailways bus to seek adventure. After a few days at the Commercial Hotel in Burns, Don got his first buckaroo job, feeding cattle at the Acton Ranch. He spent the next several years working on ranches in the Drewsey area, periodically returning to the west side to visit his family and to work as a logger in the Coast Range.

By the early 1950s, Don was a permanent resident of Harney County. During these years, he honed his skills as a cowboy (riding, roping, and breaking horses), he discovered a love and talent for rodeo, and met his future wife, Shirley Hill. 

In 1953, Don joined the Rodeo Cowboy Association and spent the next several years performing professionally in rodeos, both large and small, including at Madison Square Garden. His last professional rodeo appearance was July 4, 1960, in Klamath Falls, where he tied for first place in Bronc Riding. 

Don married the love of his life, Shirley Hill, in April 1956. Together they raised three children and were happily married for 46 years, until Shirley’s death in 2003. Don and Shirley bought the Cow Creek Ranch in 1968, and Don continued to run the ranch, along with his son John, until his last day. 

Don had a big personality and tales of his adventures (and misadventures) are too numerous to list. He loved ranching and rodeo. He loved a good horse and a good book. He was an avid reader, especially of Western history, Americana, and Western novels. He loved the land around him and enjoyed driving around, revisiting the landmarks that shaped his life. He was an excellent storyteller with an amazing memory for detail. His skills as a cowboy were honored when he was inducted into the Buckaroo Hall of Fame in 2018. His greatest loves were his family and his many friends. He was smart, funny, gregarious, and loving. Don was truly “one-of-a-kind” and he will be greatly missed.

Don is survived by his children, Dave, John, and Leigh Ann; his grandchildren, Daniel, JR, Jason, and Jessica; as well as six great-grandchildren; his brother; Alan; his many nieces and nephews, and numerous extended relations and friends.

Don was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley; his grandson, Joe; great-granddaughter, Rylee; and his siblings, Robert, Verna, Marshall, Ralph, and Norman.

Funeral services for Don Toelle will be held Saturday, April 19, 2025, at the Elk’s Lodge in Burns, at 11 a.m. Interment will be at the Burns Cemetery, followed by a Fellowship Luncheon at the Elk’s Lodge. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made, in Don’s name, to the Burns Elk Lodge #1680 or to the Harney County Youth Livestock Show and Auction (HCYLSA). Donations for the Burns Elks Lodge can be dropped off or mailed to Burns Elks Lodge #1680, 118 N Broadway Ave, Burns, OR 97720. Donations to HCYLSA Pass the Pants Fundraiser (to purchase livestock panels for the Harney County Fair) can be made online at HCYLSA.org, directly at the Bank of Eastern Oregon, or mailed to: HCYLSA, PO Box 966, Burns, OR 97720.