Douglas John Hurlburt

Douglas John Hurlburt, 82, of rural Black River Falls went to his heavenly rest surrounded by his family on Saturday, March 7, 2026. Born to Ray W. Hurlburt and Lois C. (Hamlyn) Hurlburt on September 19, 1943, Doug spent his entire life on the Hurlburt farm in the Shamrock area. The oldest of 3 boys, Doug spent his early years attending the Shamrock Country School, hunting with his grandpa John, and participating in 4-H and FFA. At 16 years old he took over running the family farm when his father experienced an extended illness. He graduated from Black River Falls High School in 1961 and the UW Madison Farm Short Course in 1962. In 1963 he acted as a chauffeur for a neighbor boy and his beautiful blonde date, and ended up driving the girl safely home in his pink '57 Chevy when the boy left her at the dance. Wasting no time, and using that pink car to his full advantage, he asked that blue eyed blonde, Ellen Marie Aldach, for a date. They were joined in marriage on October 16, 1965 and purchased the Hurlburtland Farm from his parents in 1975. They worked hard through fruitful and lean years and accomplished an amazing feat of celebrating 60 years of marriage in October of 2025. Doug was a good steward of the land, but his greatest crop was his 6 daughters, and the 20 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren they provided him. He enjoyed sharing his love of farming, hunting, fishing, red tractors, "collecting" lumber, reading western books, playing cards, and just spending time with his large and extended "crew" at family gatherings. He loved listening to classic country music while milking his cows and loved even more to listen to his daughters sing together. He enjoyed driving "around the block" and through his woods, first with his truck, and later with his Gator, normally with one of his Norwegian Elkhound dogs riding shotgun. Doug was a small plane pilot who enjoyed flying with anyone who was willing to take to the air with him. Many a weekend day was spent showing his children and grandchildren a view of the countryside from the air and performing dips and rolls just to see their reaction. Doug and Ellie loved to travel together and created many happy memories traveling to Hawaii, Ireland, England, music trips to Branson, Missouri, and spending time with family in California, Arkansas and Oklahoma. His love for his community led him to serve on many boards throughout his life including the Jackson County Board of Supervisors, Manchester Town Board, Black River Falls School Board, Jackson County Ag Society, Jackson County Farm Bureau, NFO, ASC, St. Joseph's Catholic Church school, and the Shamrock Union Cemetery Association. Though a farmer never truly retires, Doug sold his cows in 2002 and took on a second career acting as a Surveyor's Assistant for his younger brother Norm until his health faltered. In 2008 he received the Century Farm Ownership Certificate and took great satisfaction in knowing he had continued his ancestor's farming legacy, through almost 118 years at the time of his death.

Doug is survived by his wife Ellen M. Hurlburt, his 6 daughters; Heidi (Paul) Anderson, Heather (Scott) Gutche, Melissa (Thomas) Schaub, Melanie (Michael) Berg, Maribeth (Matthew) Graham, and Marlana (Benjamin) Foltz; grandchildren, Diana Burnett, Katelyn Johnson, Daniel Anderson, Alecia Simpson, Courtney Stilley, Amelia Suedel, Nathaniel Gutche, Jesse Rabuck, Joleen Happel, Abigail Leis, Wyatt Berg, Morgan Berg, Julia Berg, Jaymee Olson, Shane Graham, Ethan Graham, Russell Graham, Lacey Graham, and Caleb Foltz, his brother Wesley Hurlburt, sister in law Vickie Hurlburt, great grandchildren, cousins, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews. Doug was preceded in death by his parents Ray and Lois, his youngest brother Norman Hurlburt, sister-in-law Ruth Hurlburt, and grandson Jasper Foltz.

Visitation for Douglas J. Hurlburt will be held on Friday, March 13, 2026 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Shamrock Union Church, Black River Falls, WI, and on Saturday, March 14, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM at the St. Joseph Catholic Church-Guardian Angels Parish in Black River Falls, WI. A luncheon will immediately follow the service at the Catholic church. Interment will be held at Shamrock Union Cemetery in rural Black River Falls, WI with procession leaving the church at 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to Interfaith Volunteer Care Givers of Black River Falls. The Torgerson Funeral Home of Black River Falls, WI is assisting the family with arrangements.

The family would like to thank the Emplify Health/Gundersen Renal Dialysis Center of Tomah, Black River Falls EMS, and Cataract First Responders for their care during Doug's many health battles.