DON WALKER

     On Wednesday, July 20, 2022, Don H. Walker, loving husband, father of two children and five grandchildren, passed away at the age of 64.

     Don was born Feb. 27, 1958, to Dick and Jean (Fees) Walker. He graduated from Alma Center High School, and was united in marriage to Beth Bilda Feb. 5, 1977, at the town hall in Humbird, WI. They share two children, Cody and Stacy. Don and Beth later divorced. On March 21, 1987, he married Debra Kearney at the Methodist Church in Alma Center and resided in Humbird.

     Farmer Don, as he was known, was a family man. He enjoyed hunting and farming, but he loved his family and the time he got to spend with them. He was always doing something with his family. He enjoyed it no matter what he was doing, if it was with family or for his family. Like cutting wood, it didn’t matter if there was three feet of snow or if it was 30-below zero; he enjoyed it. If someone he loved had a passion for something, he wanted to enjoy it with them. Like when his granddaughter got a horse, he wanted to be the one who helped her build the fence and show her how to ride them, even if the horse bucked him off. He never complained or showed that he was hurting or let being sick stop him; he was “ruff and tuff.” He will be missed dearly.

     Don was preceded in death by his father, Dick; his sister-in-law, LoriKay Walker; and his nephew, Roger Hackelberg.

     He is survived by his mother, Jean; his wife, Debra; his daughter, Stacy Otto of Humbird, WI; his son, Cody (Kim) Walker of Black River Falls, WI; five grandchildren, Cameron, Emily, Karissa, Kloee and Kami; three sisters, Vicki (Cornell) Marvel, Lori Walker, and Corinda (Jerry) Parker, all of Humbird, WI; a brother, Ray (Julie) Walker of Avon, IN; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

     Funeral services for Don were held at 11 a.m. Monday July 25, 2022, at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville. Pastor Terry Marg officiated. Interment was in the East Lawn Cemetery in Alma Center, WI. Visitation was from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday and from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville. After the committal rites at the cemetery, a luncheon was served at the North Branch – Humbird Rod and Gun Club in Humbird.

     Honorary casket bearers are Tony Tondola, Cornell Marvel, Jerry Parker, Mike Otto and Randy Johnson.

     Casket-bearers are Ray Walker, Jim Enerson, Steve Kalina, Mark Gilles, Gwyn Halvorson, Steve Pflieger, Scott Gearing and Dennis Hardwick.

     In lieu of flowers, the family is asking to please send donations to the Lupus Foundation of America, www.lupus.org, or the American Heart Association, www.heart.org.

     Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.

      The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Don’s family with funeral arrangements.