Donald G. Wellner

Donald G. Wellner, 84, rural Manitowoc resident, entered eternal life under Holy Family Hospice Care at River's Bend Health Rehabilitation Center in Manitowoc on Monday morning, January 15, 2018. He fought a four-week battle with pneumonia and sepsis.Donald was born in St. Nazianz on March 28, 1933. The oldest son of George and Leona (Zimmer) Wellner, Donnie was fond of joking, "I was a Depression baby, an instrument baby, a blue baby, and I fell out of a moving car at three years old…and that's how I got my start in life." Donald attended a one-room school, Meadowbrook, in the town of Kossuth, and then St. Anne's Catholic School in Francis Creek, where he completed 8th grade. Then he worked on the family farm. Later he was employed on the farm of William and Clara Kappelman for whom he had a strong affection. In 1954, he volunteered for the Army under the buddy system with his friend; Bill Kappelman and served in peacetime at Fort Leonard Wood and Fort Knox, receiving an honorable discharge in 1956. While in the service he earned a GED and several college credits.On August 4, 1962, after a five-year courtship, Donald married Darlene Dworak at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Francis Creek. They have two children, Michael and Christine.Donald's career began by serving as an apprentice plumber for Roy Jindra Plumbing in Mishicot. After earning his Master Plumber license, he then worked as a plumber for Hein Plumbing in Manitowoc, where he later became an owner. In 1983, he started his own business: Donald Wellner Plumbing & Heating, specializing in service and repair. With an excellent work ethic, strong mechanical skills, and a knack for building loyal relationships with customers, his business flourished for 25 years.Another passion for Donald was purchasing and building three duplexes in Two Rivers beginning in the 1960's. He was proud to provide good quality housing at a reasonable cost and maintained enduring relationships with many of the tenants. By the time he sold them in 2015, 85 families had lived in the apartments.In retirement Donald devoted time to helping others. For over a decade, he was a volunteer driver for the Human Services Department and Aging and Disability Resource Center. Up until a week prior to his illness, he transported cancer patients to their medical appointments under the auspices of the American Cancer Society. Over a 30-year period, Donald made hundreds of blood and platelet donations to the American Red Cross. For the last 13 years, Darlene and Donald have been friends with the Walcott-Thomas family, mentoring their children and helping them in various aspects of their lives.For fun, Donald and Darlene enjoyed travel, spending time with children and grandchildren, and the outdoors. They visited Western, Northern and Eastern Europe, Japan, the Caribbean, and Latin America. In July 2017, they toured Alaska for nearly two weeks with their son, daughter-in-law, and the grandchildren. Other favorite activities included attending the grandchildren's sports, music, drama and religious events. As an outdoor person, one of Donald's favorite hobbies was "making wood" and kidding around with his nephews, David and Steve Dvorak in their woods on Fisherville Road. He loved burning wood to heat the house and water, and leaves behind a three-year supply for Darlene, who will now depend on natural gas.Donald was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Kellnersville. Other memberships include the Manitowoc County Democratic Party, League of Women Voters, and earlier in his life the Francis Creek Lion's Club. Donald and Darlene were members and financial supporters of many other organizations in the community.Survivors include his wife: Darlene of 55 years, son and daughter-in-law: Michael (Rebecca) and grandchildren: Seth and Olivia, of Naperville, IL; one daughter and son-in-law: Christine (Mike) and grandchildren Benjamin, Stephanie, and Julia Bressler, of rural Mishicot. Other survivors include four siblings: Sister Leone Wellner, Holy Family Convent; Al (Sandy) Wellner; Marie (Roger) Hurda; and Lee Wellner, all of Manitowoc County. Additional survivors are his brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Joseph and Lavinia Dworak, Whitelaw; Darlene Dworak, Manitowoc; and many nieces and nephews. Those preceding Donald in death include his parents: George and Leona Wellner; in-laws: Joseph and Caroline Dworak; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Norval (Jean) Dvorak; Florian (Loretta) Dworak; and Franklin Dworak.Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Kellnersville. Rev. David Pleier will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial. Cremation will follow the service with burial of his cremated remains at the Knollwood Cemetery in the spring. Relatives and friends may call on Friday at the Reinbold & Pfeffer Family Funeral Home, Kellnersville from 5:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and again on Saturday at the church from 8:30 a.m. until the time of service at 10:30 a.m. Memorial donations can be made to the Salvation Army or the Wisconsin Agriculture Education Center in Newton. Online condolences may be expressed at www.jensreinboldandpfeffer.comThe family would like to thank the staff of Holy Family Memorial Medical Center's Critical Care Unit, Holy Family Memorial Hospice staff, and River's Bend Health & Rehabilitation Center for their compassionate care during his four-week illness. The family also thanks the friends, relatives, and clergy for their visits, cards, support, and love for Donald and his family. He was greatly loved and will be sorely missed.

Visitation

Saturday, January 20, 2018 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM
St. Joseph Catholic Church
522 Tower Avenue Kellnersville 54215, US

Funeral Service

Saturday, January 20, 2018 10:30 AM
St. Joseph Catholic Church
522 Tower Avenue Kellnersville 54215, US

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