DONALD ZAHALKA's Obituary
Zahalka, Donald W.
Donald Zahalka, 90, returned to Our Lord unexpectedly on November 18, 2015, in Ladysmith, WI. He was born February 15, 1925, in Racine, WI, to Ladis and Frances (Gondert) Zahalka. As a youth, Don was an active Boy Scout who earned the distinguished honor of Eagle Scout and served as Racine Scout Camp Waterfront Director. Upon graduation from Racine Horlick High School in 1943, he served his country in the Army Air Corp during WWII. He then returned to Racine, earned an undergraduate degree, and on August 27, 1949, married Jeanne Venne. Don earned a Masters Degree in journalism from UW-Madison and moved his family to Oshkosh in 1954.
Don was a member of the UW-Oshkosh faculty and Director of University Publications and was a talented writer and speaker. He received the Republican Party’s Bovay Award for dedicating years of service as 6th Congressional District Chair and Wisconsin delegate to the 2000 National Convention. Throughout his life, Don gave graciously to others. He was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, the Kiwanis Club and Knights of Columbus. He helped to establish and served at Father Carr’s Place 2B and volunteered at St. Vincent de Paul. Don cherished all life and was committed to protecting unborn children, notably serving as President of the Board of Directors of Wisconsin Right to Life.
Don enjoyed fishing with family and friends (most memorably each May for the opening of trout season,) the outdoors, sporting events (especially those of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren,) Jumble puzzles, reading and, most of all, spending time with the family he loved. Don was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather who will be remembered for his kindness, generosity, and witty humor.
Don is survived and will be deeply missed by many, including his daughter: Donna (Tad) Harvey, Sturgeon Bay, WI; sons: James (Catherine Rhyner) Zahalka, Brooklyn, WI; John Zahalka, Hibbing, MN; Richard (Joan Krogman) Zahalka, Tony, WI; grandchildren: Shannon (Chris) Greisen, Heather (Gerard) van Calcar, Elizabeth (Jeremy) Schartner, Nathan Zahalka, Olivia Zahalka, Mercedes Rhoads, Jaime Zahalka, Jared (Autumn) Zahalka, Jennifer Zahalka, Tom (Lindsey) Zahalka, Zachary (Jane) Zahalka, and Luke Zahalka; great-grandchildren: Michaela, Hannah, Patrick, Andrew, Catherine, Oliver, Vania, Jordan, Caitlin, Mikah, Nova, and Chancey; siblings: Betty Zahalka and Bill Zahalka; in-laws: Claire (Richard) Gavigan, Fr. Thomas Venne, and Judith (Steve) Ballard; special family: Luul (Tekle Sebhatu) Ghebrednghil; and many nieces and nephews.
Don was preceded in death by his loving wife, Jeanne, his parents, brother Ladis Zahalka, and sisters Cleo Gruhn, Marcile Zahalka, and Gwen Bukacek.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 519 Knapp Street, Oshkosh, at 11:00 AM on Saturday, December 5, 2015. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:00 AM until the time of Mass. Interment at Sacred Heart Cemetery, 2747 Knapp Street Road, Oshkosh, will follow at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Father Carr’s Place 2B or Wisconsin Right to Life.
To view and sign the guestbook, please visit:
Fiss & Bills-Poklasny Funeral Home
www.fissbillspoklasny.com
920-235-1170
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