Jan. 5, 1930 – Oct. 21, 2010

Dr. Douglas K. Nehs, optometrist, 80, of Waukesha, died Thursday, Oct. 21, 2010, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born Jan. 5, 1930, in Waukesha, to Clyde and Mary Alice (Jones) Nehs.

On Aug. 4, 1956, he married Mary Jane Schalla at St. Charles Catholic Church in Chippewa Falls. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and obtaining his optometry degree from Pacific University in Forest Grove, Ore., he returned to Waukesha in 1960 and began his practice. The love for his patients and his profession kept him young until his last exam at Nehs Family Vision Center at the age of 79. He was a lifetime member of the American and Wisconsin Optometric Association, as well as a member of Kettle Moraine Optometric Society. For many years, he regularly donated his time to perform hunters’ safety vision screenings.

Doug was a life member and past president of the Waukesha Noon Lions, where he was a recipient of the Birch/Sturm and Melvin Jones awards, the highest honors awarded by the Lions Club. He was instrumental in bringing the Blind Outdoor Leisure Development (B.O.L.D.) to Wisconsin and securing sponsorship by Lions International. As an active and devout Catholic, he was a member of many other groups such as the Serra Club of Waukesha.

Doug was an avid golfer from his days caddying at Merrill Hills Country Club and the Mud Baths of Moordowns, until the last Nehs Father’s Day golf outing in June of this year. He spent most of his leisure time at his second home on Lake Wisconsin, golfing, skiing and boating. His many friends and family will always remember his kindness, great sense of humor and storytelling.

Doug will be dearly missed by his wife, Mary Jane of Pewaukee; their children, Steven D. (Michelle) Nehs of Waukesha, Patricia Susan (David Roberts) Nehs of Hubertus, Thomas James (Jessica) Nehs of Waupun and Michael Joseph (Dana) Nehs of Chicago; grandchildren, Nicholas Nehs (best buddy to grandpa), Jennifer Nehs, Joseph (Christina Deterville) Lowrey, Angela (Mike) Hively, Donny Bostwick, Callie Mendlesky and Conner Mendlesky; and greatgrandchildren, Alex, Lauren, Matt and Cameron Hively. He is further survived by his sister, Leatrice (Larry Gygax) Baker of Waukesha; brother, Donald (Joanne) Nehs of Arizona; sister-in-law, Katherine "Kitty" Nehs of Waukesha; brother-in-law, James (Irene) Schalla of Mystic, Conn.; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Jack Nehs.

Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. until the 8 p.m. vigil service today, Oct. 26, at Randle-Dable Funeral Home, 1110 S. Grand Ave., Waukesha. Services continue at the funeral home on Wednesday, Oct. 27, with prayers beginning at 9:30 a.m., followed by a procession to St. William Catholic Church, 440 N. Moreland Blvd., Waukesha, for the 10:30 a.m. funeral Mass. Graveside services with full military honors will follow at Prairie Home Cemetery.

Memorials are appreciated to Wisconsin Lions Foundation, 3834 Highway A, Rosholt, WI 54473; American Brain Tumor Association, ABTA 2720 River Road, Des Plaines, IL 60018; or charity of donor’s choice.

For further information, please call Randle-Dable Funeral, Cremation and Preplanning Services at 547-4035 or go to www.waukeshafunerals.com for directions or to leave an online tribute.