Obit: Mikolainis, Donald Jerome (1936 - 2010)

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Mikolainis, Rogus, Gulcynski, Butterfield, Czyzewicz, Jugo, Kuhl, Grzeszkowiak, Micke, Apfelbeck

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI.) December 1, 2010

Mikolainis, Donald Jerome (13 September 1936 - 27 November 2010)

Don Mikolainis, age 74, of Thorp (formerly of Evanston, IL), passed away on November 27, 2010, at the Clark County Health Care Center in Owen, WI.  Burial will be private.  Pallbearers will be: Kyle Robert Kuhl, Gregory John Kuhl, Kristen Marie Jugo, Victor Enrique Jugo, David Edward Gulcynski and Timothy Allen Micke.

Visitation will be held on Friday, December 3, 2010, from 4-8 p.m. at Thorp Funeral Home.  Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 4, 2010, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Thorp with Reverend Keith Apfelbeck officiating.

Donald Jerome Mikolainis was born on September 13, 1936, in Chicago, IL.  He was the first born to Kestutis Louis Mikolainis and Sophie Ann (Rogus) Mikolainis.  He attended Colby School and St. Hedwig’s Catholic School for seventh and eighth grade.  Don graduated from Thorp High School in 1955.  He went on to graduate from Wausau Technical School in May of 1957.  In 1958 he started courting Darlene Ann Gulcynski.  They were married on October 17, 1959, at St. Hedwig’s Catholic Church.  They moved to Evanston, IL.  Don worked as a machinist and Darlene as a registered nurse.  They were blessed with their first child, Carol Ann, on February 2^nd, 1962.  In 1965, Robert William was born on February 20^th.  Finally in 1966, Catherine Marie was born on May 11^th.  In 1969 Don and Darlene purchased their first house where they lived until their children were grown.  They moved into a condo in Morton Grove, IL until Darlene passed away in 1999.  Don moved to Park City, IL and on October 7, 2000 married Bernice (Butterfield) Czyzewicz.  They finally moved back to Thorp in 2001. Don became the step-dad to James, John and David Czyzewicz until Bernice’s death on February 21, 2005. Don had many jobs over the years.  He was a machinist, engineer, tool and dye maker, maintenance man, salesman, assistant manager and security officer.  Don enjoyed all his different jobs over the years and always was eager to make improvements and help others where he worked.  Don always enjoyed his hobbies.  He collected coins and stamps, liked to build things in his garage for his children and was always thinking up ways to improve his home.  He also like to paint and draw.  He was always sketching something on scraps of paper.

Don is survived by his three children: Carol Ann (Victor) Jugo, Robert William Mikolainis and Catherine Marie (Gregory) Kuhl; five grand children: Kristen Marie Jugo, Carly Ann Jugo, Kaitlyn Marie Kuhl, Kevin Gregory Kuhl and Kyle Robert Kuhl; his sister, Jolanta Dorothy (Ron) Grzeszkowiak; god children, nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. 

Don was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Darlene, in 1999; and by his second wife, Bernice, in 2005.

Don will be greatly missed by all.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to: The Hands Foundation (for saving St. Hedwig’s Church), W6929 Broek Road, Withee, WI 54498.

Online condolences may be directed to: www.cuddiefh.com. Thorp Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.