Obit: Pernsteiner, Donald J. (1930 - 2016)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Bredemann, Guldan, Johnson, Kuenzli, McLees, Pernsteiner, Sauer, Schultz, Solvay, Vethamanickam

----Source: The Star News (Medford, WI) 1/31/2016

Pernsteiner, Donald J. (24 FEB 1930 - 30 JAN 2016)

Donald J. Pernsteiner, 85, Stratford, died on Saturday, Jan. 30, at Golden Living Center Three Oaks in Marshfield.

A mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 4, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Stratford, with Rev. Sengole Vethamanickam officiating. Burial will take place in Evergreen Cemetery, Medford.

Serving as pallbearers will be Joel Kuenzli, Dennis Bredemann, Chris Guldan, Vernon Pernsteiner, Pat Pernsteiner and Jim Sauer. Military rites will be conducted at the church following the service by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6352 of Stratford.

The visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until service time at St. Joseph’s Church, Stratford.

Donald was born on Feb. 24, 1930 in Medford to Frank and Margaret (Sauer) Pernsteiner. He attended Holy Rosary Parochial School and Medford High School. He was employed at Medford Farmer’s Union as manager of the appliance store. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War from 1951 until 1953 and was honorably discharged earning the rank of sergeant.

He married Delores M. McLees on Feb. 7, 1959 at Holy Assumption Catholic Church in West Allis.

Don came to Stratford and was the general manager of the Stratford Farmers Co-op for 38 years. He also owned Chili Farm Service for a number of years. He held a master plumbers license and refrigeration license as well as management positions.

He was a member of the Wisconsin Feed Dealers Association, a charter member of TV advertising for Cenex, served on St. Joseph’s Church Council, the Advisory Board for Security Health Plan, the American Legion Post 54 of Marshfield, VFW Post 6352 of Stratford, Whitetails Unlimited, the NRA, The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and many agricultural organizations. Don was an avid hunter and fisherman. He hunted whitetail in Wisconsin and also hunted and shot many ‘large game’ in Montana, Wyoming and Canada. In addition to hunting, fishing and sawing lumber he enjoyed spending time at his cottage near Phillips and the months he spent in Weslaco, Texas, his tractors, hobby farm, and spending time with his grandchildren. When asked he was always willing to lend a hand to help or advise others on farming practices.

Don is survived by his wife, Delores, and daughters, Sandra Guldan of Chili, Debra (Joel) Kuenzli of Oshkosh, and Susan (Dennis) Bredemann of Madison. He is also survived by grandchildren, Christopher (Amber) Guldan of Vesper, Stacy Guldan of Marshfield, Shelby Kuenzli of Madison and Lauren Kuenzli of Oshkosh and great grandchildren, Brayden and Mason Guldan of Vesper. He is further survived by brothers, Vernon (Ardis) Pernsteiner of Medford, Jerome Pernsteiner of Jupiter Farms, Fla,, Claire (Jeanne) Pernsteiner of Canton, Ohio, and Robert Pernsteiner of Vancouver, Wash., and sisters, Anita (Charles) Solvay of Phoenix, Ariz., and Delores (Warren) Schultz of Tempe, Ariz. and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents and a daughter Karen Pernsteiner, sister-in-law Bonnie Pernsteiner, and brothers-in-law Lloyd Johnson and Charles Solsay.

The family will designate a memorial in Don’s name at a later date.

Sauter / Rembs Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Condolences may be sent online to www.rembsfh.com.