DONNA JANE BLAKE BURGARD

Huntington Beach, CA - Donna Burgard passed away peacefully on January 10, 2022, at the home of her son, Blake Burgard, in Santa Barbara, CA. She was born January 15, 1933, in San Bernardino, CA the daughter of Donald K. and Anna E. (Knall) Blake. Donna graduated from San Bernardino High School, class of 1950, where she was the majorette. She then went on to attend UCLA and graduated with a degree in Physical Therapy in 1954. Donna married the love of her life, James Burgard, on November 17, 1956. They recently celebrated their 65th anniversary. Donna loved being a wife, mother to her five children, grandmother and Physical Therapist. She owned her own Physical Therapy Clinic in Huntington Beach until the age of 74. Her passion was taking care of people and helping them live a healthy and pain-free life. She also enjoyed horticulture, Polynesian dancing, studying Spanish and creating a habitat for Monarch butterflies in her backyard. She loved all animals and took in many injured animals over the years and nursed them back to health. Her most favorite pets were her tortoises. In addition to her parents, Donna was preceded in death by her brother Donald Blake Jr., and sister Alice Staff (Ray Staff). She is survived by husband James Burgard; sons Tim Burgard of Glendale, Blake Burgard of Santa Barbara; daughters Michele Burgard of Canyon Country, Beverly Lee (Michael Lee) of Southlake, Texas, Suzanne Thompson (Lee Thompson, dec.) of Farr West, Utah; sister Nadine Nemechek (Vic Nemechek) of Clovis; grandchildren, Chantel Cheatham (Murphy Cheatham), Brittney Morris (Marvin Morris), Mariah Lee, Justus Lee, Jesse Thompson (Tara Thompson), Cory Thompson Clarke (Morgan Clarke), Zane Pratt and James Joseph (JJ) Burgard; great-grandchildren Tre’ Morris, Robbie Morris, Titus Morris, Avery Bonney, Michaela Cheatham, Murphy Cheatham III, and Trig Thompson; along with many beloved nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life will be held at 12:00 pm on Wednesday, June 22, 2022 at Saint Bonaventure Catholic Church, 16410 Springdale St., Huntington Beach, CA 92649.