Donald Matthew Burnell

“Daddy” Donald (Don) Matthew Burnell, age 88, of Post Falls, Idaho, passed away on March 21, 2026.

Our daddy was most passionate about photography, traveling, and his love of Mother Earth and her beauty.

He traveled the world and made it to all 7 continents. His pictures were of National Geographic quality! He saw polar bears and penguins in Antarctica, grizzly bears in Alaska, giant tortoises in the Galápagos Islands, and lava spewing into the ocean in Kona, Hawaii—and this is only 1/10 of his traveling adventures.

He truly saw things that most people only dream about. He was very fortunate and blessed in this area. He worked three jobs for years to be able to spend his golden years traveling. He also helped raise 10 children financially. He truly was an honorable man who, at times, was overlooked because of his quiet determination and devotion to making his mark in the world. He loved it when his daughters and sons-in-law, Mark or Jay, cooked for him!

He loved walking around the neighborhood with his walking sticks, enjoying nature and national parks. He LOVED taking pictures and entering them in camera clubs, always learning and improving his already beautiful techniques.

He found his true companion in his 80s with Nancey, proving it’s never too late to fall in love. They traveled to Africa, went on European cruises, visited Costa Rica, and took many more pictures together. He was finally able to share his love of photography with his companion.

Dad, in my book, was a professional photographer with a creative eye to see beauty in all things.

Sadly, he doubted himself, which ironically taught us to believe in ourselves. Because he always said to us girls, “Follow your dreams and learn from me.”

Don’s legacy will live on with his three daughters: Lisa A. Burnell and son-in-law Jay M. Nelson; Holly L. Burnell-Canada; and Dawn M. Burnell-Anderson and son-in-law Mark A. Anderson; and his grandchildren, Thomas J. Curtis (25), Edward Canada (17), and Angelea Burnell-Nelson (16).

A small gathering will be held at St. George Catholic Church, followed by the placement of his ashes at Evergreen Cemetery at the Veterans Wall.