Don was a squad leader in the Army in Korea, where he was awarded a Purple Heart.
He married Lois (Giebler) in 1955 and they raised their family in Ellsworth, WI where most people remember him as "Donny the Milkman".
Don was a loving husband, Dad, Grandpa and friend who could talk your ear off and had the best stories. He worked hard and loved baking his famous date cookies and other goodies, gardening, playing the piano, cheering for the Packers and spending time with family. He was passionate about recycling and taking care of the earth. Don had an active interest in current events, read several newspapers daily and frequently voiced his opinions in letters to the editor.
He will be greatly missed by his children: Krystal (Steve) Brandes, Teri (Bob) Panzer, Julie (Jon) Raethke, Jane (Mike K) Edgell and Jeremy (Alyssa) Beebe; 9 grandchildren: Eric Brandes (Carrie), Betsy (John Bohnett), Brett Panzer, Cody (Jordan), Casey, and Carson Raethke, Claire (Rueegy Lopez), Jack (Carmen F) Edgell, and Ezra Beebe; 5 great grandsons: Eamonn, Benjamin, Leandro, Theodore and Lincoln; and many other relatives and friends.
Special thanks to Randy Husfloen and Jim Foley for helping Don remain independent in his own home until he died.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00pm on Sunday, December 11, 2022 at O'Connell Family Funeral Home, 130 N Grant St, Ellsworth, WI, followed by Military Honors.
Don was a squad leader in the Army in Korea, where he was awarded a Purple Heart.
He married Lois (Giebler) in 1955 and they raised their family in Ellsworth, WI where most people remember him as "Donny the Milkman".
Don was a loving husband, Dad, Grandpa and friend who could talk your ear off and had the best stories. He worked hard and loved baking his famous date cookies and other goodies, gardening, playing the piano, cheering for the Packers and spending time with family. He was passionate about recycling and taking care of the earth. Don had an active interest in current events, read several newspapers daily and frequently voiced his opinions in letters to the editor.
He will be greatly missed by his children: Krystal (Steve) Brandes, Teri (Bob) Panzer, Julie (Jon) Raethke, Jane (Mike K) Edgell and Jeremy (Alyssa) Beebe; 9 grandchildren: Eric Brandes (Carrie), Betsy (John Bohnett), Brett Panzer, Cody (Jordan), Casey, and Carson Raethke, Claire (Rueegy Lopez), Jack (Carmen F) Edgell, and Ezra Beebe; 5 great grandsons: Eamonn, Benjamin, Leandro, Theodore and Lincoln; and many other relatives and friends.
Special thanks to Randy Husfloen and Jim Foley for helping Don remain independent in his own home until he died.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00pm on Sunday, December 11, 2022 at O'Connell Family Funeral Home, 130 N Grant St, Ellsworth, WI, followed by Military Honors.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement