Donald C. Giesen

 Donald “Don” C. Giesen, age 79, of Cassville, died on Monday, October 10, 2011, in the presence of family at UW Hospital in Madison. He was born on January 29, 1932, in Cassville Township, the son of Philip and Sarah (Rogers) Giesen. Don graduated from Cassville High School in 1949. He served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict from 1953 to 1954. On May 19, 1953, Don was united in marriage with Darlene Christensen at the Lancaster Congregational Church. After their marriage the couple began their life-long careers in dairy farming and raising a large, close-knit family. They rented a farm in Liberty Township until 1958, when Don and Darlene moved to the Williams farm, again renting the dairy farm. In 1970, the couple purchased a dairy farm in Little Grant Township near Bloomington, where they farmed until 1984. They sold the farm in December 1984 and moved to the farm near Beetown where Darlene had been born and which they had purchased in 1978 from Darlene’s mother. In addition to farming, he was employed at Orchard Manor Nursing Home in maintenance, at Chaffie Hollow Repair, and at the Prairie du Chien Courier Press. Don was an amazing man with many interests and an intense love of and dedication to family. He was an avid outdoorsman. He loved to shoot prairie dogs in South Dakota and hunt deer. Don was an excellent shot and once took two deer with a single shot. He enjoyed cutting wood, fixing anything, tinkering in the shop and inventing. Don also enjoyed traveling with his wife, riding his motorcycle, shooting pool and telling jokes. He was a loyal Ford Mercury customer and treasured his John Deere tractors and equipment. He was a devoted husband, father, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother.

Survivors include his wife, Darlene of Cassville; their children: Pamela (Dennis F.) Clauer, Cassville; Donald A. (April) Giesen, Jr., Fennimore; Peggy (Dennis) Freymiller, Mustang, OK; Deborah M. Giesen, Naperville, IL; James R. (Marianne) Giesen, Cassville; sixteen grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; his brothers and sister: Thomas P. Giesen, Cassville; Robert C. (Gloria) Giesen, Lancaster; and Laura T. (Keith Adrian) Rauch, Platteville; and many, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by his brothers, William and Arthur and sister, Eunice; sister-in-law Grace (Christensen) Giesen; two granddaughters, Stephanie Giesen and Tilah Page; and a son-in-law, Robert Havlik.

Funeral services with military honors were held on Friday, October 14, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at Martin Funeral Home in Lancaster with Pastor Mike Christensen officiating. Burial will be at a later date. Family and friends called on Thursday, October 13, 2011, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Martin Funeral Home and on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the funeral home.