In Memory

Donald Kleinschmidt - Class Of 1953

Donald Kleinschmidt

Donald Kleinschmidt Donald E. Kleinschmidt, 81, passed away unexpectedly on January 13, 2017, at his home. He was born in Kenosha on May 19, 1935, the son of the late Emil and Madeline (Bain) Kleinschmidt. He attended Kenosha parochial schools, and he was a member of the first graduating class from St. Mary’s Catholic School. He proudly served in the National Guard. He was married to Nancy Meurer in 1957. They had two children, Debra and Donald. He married Gwyn (Janzen) Munchoff in 1990. They moved to Viroqua, WI, in 1994, where he enjoyed “God’s Country.”
He was a farmer in Pleasant Prairie for most of his life, taking over his family farm, until his retirement in 1994. While in Pleasant Prairie, he was a Trailmaster for the Prairie Riders Snowmobile Club. He and Gwyn owned Timber Ridge Restaurant for several years. He was an avid John Deere Tractor collector. He spent much of his life farming and telling tales of farming and trucking. He also continued to enjoy hauling grain for several farmers near Viroqua until 2014. He prided himself on the very large pumpkins he would share with friends to be used for decorations. In his early retirement, he would participate in area parades and fairs near his home in Viroqua and would return for the Kenosha County Fair each year. A favorite part of the fair was buying pies at the pie auction, and he loved to tell the story of buying one and throwing it in the auctioneer’s face, as well as supporting the local 4-H. He and Gwyn had a great love of animals and had more pets than they care to admit.
He is survived by his wife, Gwyn; his daughter and son, Debra Kleinschmidt and Donald Kleinschmidt; his stepdaughters, Melissa (Michael) Weipert and Stephanie (David) Raszkiewicz; his four grandsons, Shawn and Mark Bogdala and Drake and Zach Kleinschmidt; two granddaughters, Michaela Weipert and Alexandria Raszkiewicz; and a great-grandson, Luke Bogdala.
He was preceded in death by his parents and granddaughter, Riley Weipert.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 17th, at the Proko Funeral Home from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Interment will take place on Wednesday, January 18th, at All Saints Cemetery at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Tabby Town Animal Rescue in Westby, WI, and Safe Harbor Humane Society in Kenosha, WI.