Donald J. Van Egtern

Donald James Van Egtern, age 80 of Fox Lake, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, May 6, 2014, surrounded by his family at UW Hospital in Madison.

Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, May 10, 2014 at Emmanuel Reformed Church, 400 W Brown Street, Waupun, with Rev. Calvin J. Vande Zande officiating. Burial will follow at Highland Memorial Gardens.

Visitation will be at the church on Friday, May 9, from 4:30 - 7:30 P.M., and on Saturday beginning at 9:30 until the time of service.
Kohls Community Funeral Home Waupun Wisconsin www.kohlsfh.com

Donald was born January 27, 1934 in the city of Waupun, Dodge County; the son of George and Eunice (Armga) Van Egtern. Don graduated from the Waupun High School in 1953. On November 2, 1956, he married Margaret Christian in Brandon. He was a lifelong farmer, especially loving to drive tractor, working in the fields. Donald was a faithful husband, loving father and adoring grandfather and great-grandfather, who enjoyed playing checkers, doing puzzles, attending sporting events, and talking about farming and tractors with the grandchildren. Besides farming, Donald was a gifted carpenter who built his current home. He enjoyed several trips with Margaret. To his family, Donald leaves a legacy of faith. As a faithful baptized charter member of Emmanuel Reformed Church, Donald was active throughout the years as a deacon, an elder, a youth leader and Sunday School teacher. He demonstrated his heart for others on several mission trips.

Donald is survived by Margaret, his wife of 57 years, nine children: Donald R. (Kandi) Van Egtern, Waupun, Peggy (Dennis) Noll, Watertown, Bonnie (Jeff) Frederick, Brandon, Audrey Jahns, Alto, Dennis (Julie) Van Egtern, Beaver Dam, James (Margie) Van Egtern, Fox Lake, Darlene (Matt) Loechelt, Tampa, FL, Becky (Jeffrey) Stenerson, Oshkosh, Amy (Brian) Manske, Waupun, twenty-three grandchildren and nine great - grandchildren. He is further survived by his siblings: Margaret Mason, Richard (Sharon) Van Egtern, Kenneth (Jan) Van Egtern, Janice (Melvin) Pluim, Phyllis Hofman, Gladys (Ronald) Vick, and two sisters-in-law: Betty Ruenger and Laura (Kenneth) Schultz, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers-in-law and sister-in-law: Gene Westra, Homer Mason, Gary Hofman, Marvin Ruenger and Richard (Karen) Christian.