Donald William Theisen, 92, passed away Monday, July 19, 2010, at the Kathy Hospice in West Bend.

He was born Sept. 18, 1917, in Sentinel Butte, N.D., the son of Michael and Genevieve (nee Tescher) Theisen. He married Clara (nee Bauer) Suchy on April 26, 1943, in Pomona, Calif.

Don served in the U.S. Army from July 4, 1942, to Dec. 18, 1945. He was stationed in Europe during the World War II, serving as an automotive parts clerk. After serving his country, he was honorably discharged and signed on to work for the Civil Conservation Corps in the late 1940s. He then started his 44-year career with the Gehl Co. in West Bend. He held the position of supervisor of routing in the manufacturing/engineering department. He was a member of the Hexelbank Club at the Gehl. Co.

During his working years, Don and Clara were avid gardeners and shared their bounty with family and friends. He loved to fish and golf and was long-time member of Hon-E-Kor Country Club. He was a proud member of Fred A. Schaefer VFW Post 1393-West Bend.

After retirement, Don enjoyed visiting friends and working at the food pantry. For the past five years, he happily lived next door to his brother, Lloyd, and made many friends with the staff and residents of Cedar Bay West.

He is survived by a daughter, Carol (Suchy) Steiner of Minocqua; and six grandchildren, Rick (Gayle) Steiner of West Bend, Randy (Jayne) Steiner of Theresa, Cheryl (Terry) Nelson of Suamico, Russ (Cindy) Steiner of West Bend, Cathy (Bill) Holzbach of Fond du Lac and Ray (Karen) Steiner of Middleton. He is further survived by 19 great-grandchildren, Amy (Aaron) Haug, Andrea (Andrew) Kaehny, Robb (Chrissy) Steiner, Maggie Steiner, Rose Steiner, Gabby Steiner, Ken Nelson, Kristin Falkenberg, Kraig Nelson (fiancée, Stephanie Jones), Patrick (Sarah) Cressey, Heather (Todd) Bushkie, R.J. Steiner, Cody Steiner, Jonathan Holzbach, Anastasia Holzbach, Rachel Steiner, Lauren Steiner, Ava Steiner and Tony Steiner; 13 great great-grandchildren; sister in-law, Irene Theisen; special nephew, Ken Theisen; special niece, Karen Vendl; and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Clara; brothers, Hilbert, Lloyd and Edward; sister, Marcella; son-in-law, Al Rakow; and one great-granddaughter, Haddie Steiner.
 
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 22, 2010, at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, 1025 S. 7th Ave., West Bend, with the Rev. Jeffrey Haines presiding. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until time of service at the church only. Interment to follow at Holy Angels Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to the Washington County Food Pantry P.O. Box 1157, West Bend, WI 53095, or The Threshold Inc., 600 Rolfs Ave. West, West Bend, WI 53090.

The Phillip Funeral Home of West Bend is assisting the family. www.phillipfuneralhome.com.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt and special "thank you" to the caring staff at Cedar Bay West and the incredibly caring, compassionate and loving staff and volunteers at the Kathy Hospice. We thank you for doing God’s work here on Earth.