WAUKESHA

Donald Lee ‘Don’ Freyer

Donald Lee “Don” Freyer joined his parents, Donald and Sophie, on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012, at the age of 74. 

He was the beloved husband of 54 years to Janet (nee Abel); cherished father of Nancy (Michael) Duwe, Kristine (James) Hillmer and Cynthia (Kyle) Schlender; proud grandfather to Shannon, Kimberly, Colton, Alexander, Kory and Megan; dear brother of Marvin (Judith) Freyer; and brother-in-law of the Rev. Timothy (Elizabeth) Abel. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. 

Don went to a one-room school house in Pewaukee and was a 15-year member of the 4H club. Don worked at Dynex/Rivett for 55 years, beginning on April 24, 1957. During that time, he held many positions. He was a hydraulic engineer and one of the cooks at his company parties. His supervisor said he was very well-liked by his fellow workers.

Don married Janet in 1958. In 1958, Don also joined the military and was sent to Fort Dix, New Jersey, for cook school and was a member of the Reserves in Pewaukee while continuing to work at Dynex. Don was also a member of the Waukesha Library Board for six years. He was an elder at the First Presbyterian Church in Waukesha and served on the property management committee helping with maintenance and cooking at church luncheons for many years. 

In the early 1980s, Don joined the Waukesha Rose Society and the Milwaukee Rose Society and served as president and on the board of directors for both organizations and assisted in giving seminars to other organizations. Don received the American Rose Society Bronze Award from the Waukesha Rose Society. He was also a member of the Madison Rose Society, The Daylily Society of Wisconsin, The Iris Society of Wisconsin and the Greater American Rose Society. He was a consulting rosarian for more than 10 years. 

Don was a Mason with Waukesha Lodge #37 F&AM and a 32nd Degree Mason associated with Scottish Rite. Don rang bells for the Salvation Army for more than 25 years and assisted Job’s Daughters with the Hearing Impaired Kids Endowment plant sale, played Santa at nursing homes and for family and friends, and also helped friends with physical disabilities. 

Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. until the 7 p.m. funeral service Tuesday, Sept. 4, at Church and Chapel Funeral Home, 380 Bluemound Road (at highways J and JJ, four blocks south of Interstate 94), Waukesha. Please wear bright colored clothing. A private interment will be held. 

A special thank you to Dr. Hake, Paula and the rest of the staff at the Regional Cancer Center at ProHealth Care. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the American Cancer Society or to the Job’s Daughters Memorial Foundation of Wisconsin would be appreciated. 

Church and Chapel Rudolph-Larsen Bros. Funeral Home is serving the family. For more information, call 549-0659 or visit www.churchandchapel.com to view the online obituary, leave condolences or receive directions.