Donald J. Ebert

Donald J. Ebert, 89, of La Crosse, WI., passed away Saturday, July 2, 2022 at Bethany Riverside Transitional Care, surrounded by his loving family. He was born February 12, 1933, in Sparta, to H. John “Jack” and Marion A. (Smith) Ebert. Growing up in Sparta, he attended the West Primary, and St. Patrick’s grade schools, and graduated from Sparta High School in 1950. The small-town life provided him with a great love for nature and the outdoors. His love for hunting and fishing carried over into adulthood spending many hours out on the Mississippi river, taking frequent trips to Necedah and Horicon for goose hunting, Iowa for fall pheasant hunting and trips to Canada for fishing. As a youngster and with the help of a friend, he organized several hundred of the youth in Sparta to form and have a parade on the evening of a city council meeting to persuade them to fund the first city swimming pool. Funds were appropriated that night. As a young boy Don worked at many small jobs available to youth at that time including car hopping at the local A&W root beer stand, having a paper route, selling papers, shining shoes, retail sales at the Schultz Bros. 5&10 store, the Sparta & Classic theaters, pumping gas at the Standard Oil station and laborer at the Pet Milk plant. After graduating from high school he attended La Crosse State T.C. For one year then served with the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was drafted in 1953 and took basic training in Camp Chaffee, AR. Then attended wheel vehicle school there and track vehicle school in FT. Sill, OK, and on completion was sent to Worms, Germany where he served with the 12th A.I.B. of the 2nd Armored Div. until March 1955, when he was honorably discharged and returned home to Sparta. There he was reunited with the love of his life his fiancée Doris Johnson, as the two had been engaged since he shipped overseas in 1953. On September 17, 1955 Don and Doris were married at St. Patrick’s in Sparta. In the fall of 1956 they moved to Menomonie where Don attended Stout State University. Don graduated in Jan. 1960 with a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Arts/Industrial Technology but stayed on until May working on his Master’s degree. In June Don accepted a job with The Trane Company, in the Industrial/Development Engineering Division working on the many projects such as boilers, incinerators, compressors and modifying products for nuclear power plants under construction at the time. In later years Don taught classes on Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing to all drafting, engineering, inspection, foremen, tool room and laboratory personnel in La Crosse and Trane’s' plant in Tyler, TX. Don was employed 34 years by The Trane Co. and a member of the 25 yr club. He retired in December of 1994. Don was proud and honored to have served his country, he was an active member of the Roy L. Vingers American Legion Post 52 of La Crosse, where he served as commander from 1988-1989. Don and Doris were married 66 plus years. Over those years they enjoyed many trips with their family. They traveled to The Dominican Republic, Canada, Europe, Mexico, and many trips to Hawaii and Florida. Family was everything to Don. He truly enjoyed spending time with them. He cherished their get-togethers and “Ebertfest” where friends of the family were always welcome. Don enjoyed road trips, camping, boating and spending time on the sandbars with family friends. He also enjoyed golfing, woodworking and was an avid Packer fan. Don was a people person who could find something interesting to talk about with anyone. After retirement Don and Doris built a new home on St. Joseph's Ridge. They were very fortunate to spend 18 plus years there together. While living there they joined an exercise class where they met so many wonderful new friends. Don is survived by his wife Doris, children Jim (Lynn) Ebert of La Crosse, Mari (Randy) Price of Columbus, WI, Tom (Mary) Ebert of Cottage Grove, MN, Jayne (Tom) DeBauche of La Crosse, Chris (Paula) Ebert of La Crosse, Karen (Chris) Golding of Holmen. Grandchildren Roxanne (Brady) Morman, Jake Ebert, Stephanie (Jess) Hutzler, Ellie Volk, Carolyn (Peter) Vitands, Kim (Jon) Vangen, Danny (Amy) Price, Michael (Julie) Ebert, Nicole Ebert, Toni (Tim) Schoonenberg, Bob DeBauche, Hans Ebert, Ariana Golding, Ella Golding. Great grandchildren Alex, Athena, Lavender, Jess, Grant, Vivian, Trenton, Miranda, Alyssa, Ashton, Kaylee, Adrian, Lauren, William, Robert, Cora, Vinny, Jordi. Brother David (Sandra) Ebert, sister-in-law Joyce Ebert and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Jack and Marion Ebert, siblings Jack and Tommy Ebert, father and mother-in-law Clarence and Esther Johnson, brothers-in-law Norman and Harlan (Charlotte) Johnson, sister-in-law Arlene (Howard) Scott. The family would like to thank Dr. Dolan, Dr. Davis and the Vascular Department at Gundersen Health System, Eagle Crest South High Acuity and the wonderful staff at Bethany Riverside Transitional Care that cared for Don. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to The Freedom Honor Flight. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, July 8, 2022 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in La Crosse. Rev. Rick Roberts will officiate. Burial will follow in the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, La Crosse. Friends may call on the family Thursday evening from 6 until 8 P.M. at Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services La Crosse chapel; 200 West Ave. So. Visitation will also be held at the church on Friday morning from 9:30 am until the time of services.