Donald Albert Justin

Donald Albert Justin, 84, of La Crosse, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 19, 2016 at the Brookdale Assisted Living in La Crosse. He was born on December 3, 1931 in La Crosse to Albert and Frieda (Johns) Justin. Don attended the Wilson School through 8th grade and graduated from old Central High School in 1949. Through friends he met Alice Elaine DeGarmo at the Avalon Ballroom and they were married on February 12, 1955 in St. Matthew’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Stoddard. Don lived on the family farm his entire life. He took over the farm at the age of 18 after losing his dad. He received the Sesquicentennial Farm Award at the state Fair in 2006 for having the family farm over 150 years. Don’s career also included delivering for Potato King, working at Western Fruit, driving school bus, and working for Continental Can Company from 1966-1992. Don was a member of the Shelby Aid Society for many years and Grace Ev. Lutheran Church in La Crosse.
Don and Elaine enjoyed travelling very much. They went on many cruises, including to the Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii, South America, and the Panama Canal. They were snow birds, travelling to Texas during the month of March for many years. They also enjoyed camping and the Polka Fest in Ellsworth, WI.
Along with doing the daily crossword puzzles, word jumbles and Sudoku, Don’s hobbies included playing cards with friends, poker, euchre and cribbage. He loved old time Polka music, and he loved to keep a daily notebook of events and happenings to discuss with family and friends. Don also liked to collect beer cans and coins, and tending to his garden. He loved to watch the deer in the fields daily.
He is survived by four children, David (Kim) Justin of Connecticut, Dennis (Linda) Justin of La Crosse, Tom (Karen) Justin of Onalaska, and Teresa (Todd) Nedegaard of Onalaska, seven grandchildren, Adam, Laura, Leah, Jamey and Zach Justin, and Nathan and Kendra Nedegaard, two step-grandchildren, Tom and Chuck, a great-granddaughter Henley, a step great-granddaughter Natalya, and many sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Alice Elaine, his parents, and two sisters, Vernice Haugland and Jean Kammel.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 24, 2016 at 11:30 AM at Grace Ev. Lutheran Church. Pastor Jonathan Rimmert will officiate. Burial will be in the Mormon Coulee Memorial Park. Friends may call at the church on Wednesday from 9:30 AM until the time of services.