Donald A. Wilcott of Wisconsin Rapids passed away peacefully on November 1, 2018 at The Waterford in Wisconsin Rapids, after his courageous battle with cancer.
Donald was born May 31, 1927 in Marshfield, Wisconsin to Arthur and Laura (Goetz) Wilcott. His early childhood was spent in Bakerville before moving with his family to Marshfield where he completed his education.
Don served in the Air Force from 1945 to 1947 in the 94th Fighter Sq. 1st Fighter Group as an airplane and engine mechanic. He received the American Theater Service Ribbon for his service and was honorably discharged. Don married Marjorie A. Kaser on May 14, 1949 in the city of Racine, Wisconsin.
While starting a family and living in Racine, Don worked for the Hassex Harris Company as an inspector. Don and Marjorie returned to the Marshfield area and purchased a tavern located in Auburndale from his father Archie Wilcott in 1955. Don and Marjorie operated Don’s Bar and raised a family as Don continued to work outside the tavern business.
He was a machine operator for the Weyerhaeuser Company in Marshfield from 1956 through 1966. He completed his carrier after working 26 years for the Nekoosa Port Edwards Paper Company located in Port Edwards.
Don was very interested in sports and was a lifelong follower and knowledgeable Green Bay Packer Fan. He also sponsored and managed a championship fast pitch softball team. His team played regularly in Marshfield and Stratford as well as competing for state championships in the Milwaukee area. He also enjoyed playing pool, sponsoring pool teams, bowling and fishing.
Pure enjoyment for Don was to have all the family together during the holidays and special occasions for a family meal which he always insisted on picking up the tab. He had a great love for Polka music and over the years taped close to (500) 90 minute cassette tapes which he enjoyed sharing with everyone. Don was also very good with building maintenance, remodeling, and new home construction along with his driving interest to keep up with computers and technology.
In the late years of owning the tavern, Don was known to have a continual display of interior decorations for every holiday along with many Mickey and Minnie Mouse displays. As the news traveled about the many decorations, patrons would travel from miles around to visit. In 2009 he sold the tavern to his son Richard which completed three generations of Wilcott ownership dating back to 1953. Upon the sale of the tavern, Don entered in to full time retirement.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Archie and Laura (Goetz) Wilcott, sisters, Bud and Elaine (Dohm), Wilcott, John and Ione (D’Agostine) Wilcott, and Rober and Lorraine (Priefer) Wilcott.
He is survived by his children, Lois and (Claude) Boisson; Dennis and (Linda) Wilcott; Richard Wilcott; Diane and (Mike) Fehrenbach; Glenn and (Lisa) Wilcott; and very special close companion and friend Mary Ann Pember. He also leaves his grandchildren; Kristin (Leanna) Wilcott, Kimberly Wilcott, Justin Wilcott, Colin Wilcott, Tad Fehrenbach, Cal Fehrenbach, and three great granddaughters; Madeline and Emily Wilcott, and Freya Leanna.
Our family is very grateful for the loving care extended to our father during his medical battles by the Marshfield Clinic, Marshfield Hospital, Port Edwards Edgewater Haven Nursing Home, Wisconsin Rapids Waterford Assisting Living and the Wisconsin Rapids Aspirus Hospice Care Unit.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Auburndale with Reverend Antony Arokiyam officiating.
Visitation will be held from 9:00 am until service time at the church. Burial to follow service at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Auburndale, where military rites will be conducted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #6352 of Stratford.
Condolences may be sent online to www.rembsfh.com
