Obit: Ladwig, Donald G. (1933 – 2000)
Contributed to the Clark Co., WI History Buffs

Surnames: Ladwig, Roth, DeLaPena, Zehms, Palser

----Source: Internet, newspaper unknown

----Ladwig, Donald G. (13 Oct. 1933 – 24 Nov. 2000)

Donald G. Ladwig, 67, of 3215 Ellis Street, died Friday, November 24, 2000, at Luther Hospital.

He was born on October 13, 1933 to Alfred and Irene Ladwig in Eau Claire. He grew up on the north side, on Center Street, and he graduated from Eau Claire Senior High School in 1951.

Don married Barbara Jean Roth in 1955. He won her heart on the day that she was riding home from work on the bus, when he pursued her in his blue 1951 Buick convertible with the red leather seats, honking all the way. They would have celebrated 45 years of marriage in December.

He was drafted into the US Navy in 1955 (a somewhat unique circumstance) and served aboard the USS Tanner in the Mediterranean Sea area.

He was a loyal Uniroyal employee for 40 years, where he was fondly known as "Laddie" to his friends and co-workers.

He is survived by his wife Barbara; son Scott (Theresa), their children Jessica, Jack and Elizabeth; son David (Kim) and David's children Jeremy, Jordan and Elijah and Kim's son Josh; daughter Jennifer (Alex) DeLaPenã and their children Alex and Adam. He is also survived by one sister Jean Zehms of Riverside, Calif.

Before succumbing suddenly to lung cancer, he enjoyed reeling in lunker bluegills at Prairie Lake in Chetek. He spent many wonderful summer days at Lake Wissota in his speed boat. He loved the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team, and enjoyed listening to KMOX and Harry Caray on an old AIWA radio with his father and his sons. Donald will be greatly missed.

A memorial prayer service will be held on Tuesday at 7 p.m. Nov. 28 at Fuller-Speckien Funeral Home. Officiating the service will be the Rev. Philip Palser. Friends may call an hour before services at the funeral home. A private burial for immediate family only will be Wednesday morning at Forest Hill Cemetery.

The family requests memorials be made to the American Lung Association.

Fuller-Speckien Funeral Home is assisting the family.