Donald J. Kaiser
1935-2021
Donald J. Kaiser, age 86, of Colby, passed away on Saturday, July 3, 2021 at the Marshfield Medical Center surrounded by his A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 8, 2021 at St. Mary Help of Christians Parish in Colby. Father Joseph Redfern officiated. A visitation was held from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the church on Thursday. Family and friends can watch the service on the Maurina Schilling Funeral Home Facebook page or on the website. The Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home of Colby was entrusted with the arrangements.
Donald John Kaiser was born on March 21, 1935, at home in Frankfort Township in Marathon County, Wis., to Amanda C. (Schemenauer) and Andrew C. Kaiser. He was welcomed by his sister Mercedes (Howard Barr). Then he was joined by sisters Kathleen (Jack Abney), and Ruth (Robert Blume). He attended St. Mary’s Catholic School and later graduated from Colby High School, where he accumulated a collection of shutouts and no-hitters in baseball. In 1953, he attended St. Thomas University in Minnesota on basketball and baseball scholarships and played semi-pro baseball.
In the 1960s, Don was in business with his father at Kaiser Oil, and he founded the Colby Trailblazers Snowmobile Club. He was a member of the Marathon County Civil Defense Organization during that time as well as being instrumental in forming the Colby-Unity Area Little League Baseball Organization. In 1971, he started working for Alexandria Boat Works as a district manager for the Midwest. Then in the early 1980s, he started his own business, Designer Advertising/ Scoreboard Sportswear. He was a member of the Clark County Board of Supervisors for nine years, Colby School Board, and St. Mary’s Finance Council at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Colby. He was a charter member of the Knights of Columbus, and was named “Fan of the Year” by Colby HS Athletics in 2012-2013. Don enjoyed playing cribbage and cheering on the New York Yankees.
He married Marlene Hope Schmitt on February 17, 1954, and together they made their life in Colby, creating a family of ten children Mark Alan of Colby, Michael Don of Medford (Dawn Newman), Margo Marie of Madison (Kim Kalepp), Melinda Ann of Medford (Hutch Brahmer), Mitchell John of Eau Claire (Sara Koch), Marty Joseph of Colby (Gwenn Rachu), Marijo Theresa of Newton, Mass. (Peter Danis), Marlin Andrew of Colby (Lorrie Radke), Melissa Renee of Strum (Barry Christianson), and Marshall Robert of Weston (Anna Ratai).
Don and Marlene were then blessed with 21 grandchildren Markie, Molly, Christopher, Courtney, Mackenzie, Griffin, Hanna, Mitchell, Elliott, Rachel, Bailey, Quinn, Samuel, Alexandra, Andrew, Amanda, Kelsey, CJ, Drew, Riley, and Jailin.
Don and Marlene were then further blessed with 19 great-grandchildren, as well as Baby Boy Kaiser arriving in August.
Don was predeceased by both of his parents, Andrew and Amanda; sister Mercedes Barr; niece Linda Barr; grandson Elliott Kaiser; nephew Andrew Abney; brother-in-law Jack Abney; nephew Casey Blume and mother-in-law Genevieve Schmitt.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Don’s name which will be determined at a later date.
Family and friends may express condolences online at www.maurinaschilling.com.
Paid Obituary 107794
loving family.
