Donald John Burian was born at Ellsworth AFB, S.D. to Richard and Dorothy Burian.  He spent his early childhood in Wagner, S.D. having the run of the small town with his sister, Denise and Brother, Doug.  He moved with his family to Pittsburg, CA in 1967, graduating from Pittsburg High  in 1972.  He went to Diablo Valley College where he earned an AA degree. He worked at Mervyn's, then worked for the State of CA for over 30 years.  First at State Compensation Insurance Fund, then retiring in late 2019 from Dept. of Industrial Relations Division of Workers' Compensation.

Don married Fe Cendana in 1990 and gained a stepdaughter Camille.  They were together for 22 years.   Don was engaged to his beloved fiancé Oliva Artadi.  Covid, then his illness, delayed their marriage.  Oliva lovingly cared for Don at their home during his illness.

Don's favorite pastime was talking to people about a wide variety of subjects, all of which he was well versed - politics, history, books, music, the arts, Czech history and culture, and of course Minnesota.  His favorite place to have these conversations was at a coffee shop.  We all have wonderful memories of talking to Don at a Starbucks, La Scala, or any new and interesting coffee shop he discovered.  Don recently got the travel bug and loved his recent trips, especially to Czech Republic, Denmark, and Vienna.   We all marveled at his excellent memory, ability to talk to anyone, and we long to hear his laugh one more time.

Don was diagnosed with an aggressive form of glioblastoma on March 9th and died at John Muir Hospital on May 24th.  He was taken from us too quickly and way too soon.

He was preceded in death by his father, Richard Burian and his grandparents.  He is survived by his fiancé Oliva Artadi, his mother, Dorothy Burian, sister Denise, brother Douglas, sister-in-law Nina Burian, nephew Patrick Burian (Kabo), nieces Mariah Phillips (Derrek), Marisa Cannata, (Matt) Victoria Burian, Oliva's children Lorenzo, Sarah, Michael and Amelia, and many grandnieces/nephews, uncles, aunts, and cousins.  He also had many dear friends from his two home towns (Wagner & Pittsburg) and at State Fund and DWC.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, June 21, 2021 at 11:00am at Pittsburg Funeral Chapel, 2295 Railroad Avenue, Pittsburg.