Donald R. Dorn
Donald Raymond Dorn, age 79, of Chilton, died on Saturday, January 13, 2018 surrounded by his family. He was born March 24, 1938 in Appleton, son of the late Raymond Oscar and Dorothy Emma Ida (Lagerman) Dorn.
Donnie married the love of his life, Jeanette Champeau on April 5, 1958 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Appleton. They enjoyed living life together, going out dancing, and creating a family of 6 children. Donnie always loved having his family and friends around, enjoyed picking on them, and occasionally stirred the pot just to get someone going. Kids, grandkids, and friends all came to know Donnie as “PA”
Donnie started as a milk man for Quaker Dairy. He and Jeanette moved to California, where Donnie took some classes as a mechanic. He went on to own and operate a Chevron full service filling station for 10 plus years. In 1977 they were pulled back to Wisconsin and he and his son operated S and D carpentry until Donnie’s retirement. They worked carpentry jobs all over Wisconsin and were very successful. After retirement Donnie’s main job was to work on MA’s nerves.
Donnie ‘s favorite meal of the day was breakfast and he was heard often asking MA “what’s for breakfast? In addition he loved watching football, especially his Green Bay Packers. He enjoyed playing cards with his Stockbridge cronies, being outdoors mowing the lawn, taking drives on Sunday and as PA put it- “going the se-scenic route”. His love of Polka was well known and as could be seen every Sunday when the RFD channel was on. He taught his girls how to Polka and if they “bounced” instead of “slid” he let you know. When Donnie and Jeanette danced the polka they made it look so easy and flawless. Donnie was often times seen in his shorts and tube socks just taking in the outdoors ( even in the winter) and every so often the word would be out “Donnie Dorn is cooking Johnsonville brats”.
Donnie was a character, a sassy, fun loving man, patient, loved all his kids and grandbabies, great-grandbabies, and enjoyed being with family. He will be truly missed by his wife of 60 years, Jeanette ; children: Jacki Sisk, Steven (Ellen) Dorn, Ginger (Randy) Sampson, Dee Dorn, Wendy (Adam) McDowell and Lori (Robert) Oney; 21 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and brothers and sisters: James (Lorna) Dorn, Robert (Virginia) Dorn, Donna (Robert) Laus, Shirley Radtke and special friend, Patrick and sister-in-law Donna Champeau. Donnie was preceded in death by his sisters, Barbara Jean Dorn and Carla Erdman, and brother-in-law, Richard Champeau and son-in-law, Roy Sisk.
Friends may call at Wieting Family Funeral Home from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Wednesday, January 24, 2018 with a memorial service and a time to share memories starting at 5:00 PM and end at 6:00 PM. Please bring your memories to share with the family.
The family of Donnie Dorn would like to thank the Hilbert/Potter First Responders and the ER staff at Ascension Calumet Hospital for taking such good care of him.