Obit: Hedler, Donald E. "Jake" (1928 – 2018)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Hedler, Oudenhoven, Jarocki, Firnstahl, Martineau, Will, Weber, Scholl, Zenner, Brunke, McMahon, Becker, Engel, Vandenburg, Nemke, Hatley, Gay, Spaete

Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, WI) 18 Sep 2018

Hedler, Donald E. "Jake" (13 MAR 1928 – 14 SEP 2018)

Colby - Donald "Jake" E. Hedler, age 90, of Colby, passed away on Friday, September 14 2018 at Dycora Transitional Living in Abbotsford with his loving family by his side.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at Saint Mary Help of Christian Parish in Colby. Father Timothy Oudenhoven will officiate. Interment will follow at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery. Family and friends are welcome from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service Saturday at the church. The Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Colby is entrusted with arrangements.

Jake was born on March 13, 1928, in the Town of Reseburg, to Fred and Helen (Jarocki) Hedler. He attended the country school in the area and graduated from Thorp High School in 1946.

Jake came to Colby in 1946 along with his brother Wilfred and operated the IGA Grocery Store for 2 years. He was united in marriage to Dolores Firnstahl at St. Mary's Catholic Church on May 20, 1950. Then his brother Clarence came and was with Jake until 1955.

He sold the inventory and moved to Westmont, IL for a year then came back to Colby and purchased the store on Main Street from Isadore Firnstahl. He then stayed in the business for 50 years. All five daughters enjoyed working alongside their father.

In 1973, he built a new store on Highway 13. He enjoyed the work but "loved" the people more. He greeted everyone with "Hello" and "Thank You Folks".

Jake was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church: was a Eucharistic Minister for many years, was on the St. Mary's Council for 15 years, and was the President and Vice President for the council. He was on the fire Department for 37 years, the ambulance for 10 years, and the president and Vice President for the Chamber of Commerce. He was also a member of the KC's, Co. Chairman of Colby Cheese Days for 24 years with Doc Fults, then the chairman for 3 years. He was the citizen of the year in 1983. After retirement he worked for the Fertilizer Plant in Unity and for Smith Brothers Meats in Colby.

Jake enjoyed camping, snowmobiling, bowling, horseshoes, the Packers, planting trees and yard work. But he liked working the best! and being with his family. He has 14 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren. Jake donated a kidney to his grandson, Wesley Gay in 1991.

Jake is survived by his wife of 68 years, Dolores; four daughters: Judy (Dick) Martineau of Chippewa Falls, Kim (Robert) Will of Colby, Lauri (Richard) Weber of Colby and Donna Scholl of Medford; a son-in-law, Dennis Engel; 14 grandchildren: Erin (Tim) Brunke of Chippewa Falls, Adam (Ann) Zenner of Eau Claire, Josh (Melissa) Zenner of Colby, Angela Engel of Colby, Kristen (Rob) McMahon of Stoddard, Megan (Nick) Becker of Bryce Prairie, Shane (Wendy) Will of Wausau, Jessica (Jeff) Vandenburg of Greenville, Trisha (Derik) Nemke of Hatley, Bonnie Fagan of Eau Claire, Travis (Linda) Gay of Eau Claire, Nicholas (Desi) Gay of Owen, Courtney Scholl of Medford and Kirsten Scholl of Eau Claire and 29 great-grandchildren. He is further survived by his brother, Sylvester (Dorothy) Hedler; a sister-in-law, Red Hedler of Thorp and a brother-in-law, Al Spaete of Granton; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Jan Engel; his grandson, Wesley Gay; a son-in-law, Curt Scholl; four brothers, Wilfred, Clarence, Francis and Gerald; one sister, Geraldyn Spaete.

Family and friends may express condolences online at www.maurinaschilling.com.