Obit: Kieser, Donald E. (1918 - 2018)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Bartz, Brown, Bruce, Ellenbecker, Erenz, Habeck, Hodd, Kieser, Leichtman, Puhl, Quade, Rohlik, Stockey, Voigt

----Source: The Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home (Abbotsford, WI) 7/08/2018

Kieser, Donald E. (18 MAY 1918 - 4 JUL 2018)

Donald E. Kieser, age 88, of Abbotsford, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, July 4, 2018 at Marshfield Medical Center.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at Christ Lutheran Church in Abbotsford. The Rev. Donald Bruce will officiate. Interment with Military Honors provided by the Unity American Legion Post #352 will follow at the Abbotsford Public Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 10 from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford and from 10:00 AM until the time of service Wednesday at the church.

Donald was born in Athens on September 2, 1929, the son of Gottlieb and Stella (Habeck) Kieser. In 1948 he graduated from Abbotsford High School. Donald was united in marriage to Joann Voigt on July 17, 1954 in Wauwatosa. As newlyweds they moved to Athens, and eventually settled in Abbotsford. The love of his life, Joann preceded him in death on June 20, 2015.

Donald spent the majority of his working years as an employee of the city of Abbotsford, and retired as the Director of Public Works in 1996. A true public servant, he briefly served as the village police officer and for many years was a volunteer fireman. He was extremely proud of his service to his country as a 34-year member of the Army National Guard, which included a year of active military service at Fort Lewis, Washington during the Berlin Crisis.

Donald was an active and faithful member of Christ Lutheran Church in Abbotsford, serving many years as a church elder, and participating in the church choir. Donald loved music, and amassed an extensive collection of records, tapes, and CDs. He also enjoyed trout fishing, telling jokes, and bartending. Donald was a selfless man. Of utmost importance to him were his family, faith, community and country.

Donald is survived by five children: Geoffrey (Ann) of Fayetteville, NC, Coralee (Patrick) Ellenbecker of Owen, Lori Leichtman of Abbotsford, Don (Paula) of Unity and Michael (Amy) of West Bend; 16 grandchildren: Robin, Angie, Geoff, Tristan, Leslie, Nita, Doug, Lora, Jenny, Brian, Seth, Molly, Maggie, Alex, Ethan and Maddie; ten great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. He is further survived by five brothers and sisters: Marilyn Brown of Mason City, IA, Carol Bartz of Merrill, Dennis (Joan) Kieser of Thorp, Muriel (Warren) Puhl of Menomonie and Marjorie (Bill) Rohlik of Eleva; a sister-in-law, Lois Stockey of Victoria Island, British Columbia, Canada, a brother-in-law, Burton Erenz of Greenfield; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his older brother Frederick; and sisters Dorothy Quade and Doris Hodd.

Obituary: Kieser, Joann T. (Voigt)
http://www.wiclarkcountyhistory.org/6data/120/120450.htm 
http://www.wiclarkcountyhistory.org/6data/120/120516.htm