Donald G. Kibler

Donald G. Kibler, age 83 of Holmen, WI passed away on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse. He was born at home on the Northside of La Crosse on February 17, 1941, to Earl and Iowne (Small) Kibler. He was confirmed at North Presbyterian Church in La Crosse and graduated from Logan High School in 1959. On July 28, 1962, he married Marabeth Beranek at North Presbyterian Church and together they had one daughter, Pamela.

From age 12 to 18, Don worked as a paper boy for the La Crosse Tribune. During that time, he also set pins in a La Crosse bowling alley and pumped gas at Hazel De Witt Mobil Gas Station. After graduation he worked at the Tribune in the circulation department until October of 1960. On October 10, 1960, he went to work for American Motors/Chrysler in Kenosha, WI until April 1991. During his career with AMC, he worked in several departments but mainly in department 842 as a fork-truck driver and was in department 820 working on the motor line when he retired.

Upon retirement, Don worked part-time for Martino Master Cleaners in Kenosha and Roger Palmen Chevrolet in Union Grove, WI. Don and Marabeth lived in Kenosha until 1998 when they moved to Paddock Lake, WI. In April of 2000, they moved to Ettrick, WI where he continued driving cars but this time for Ladsten Chevrolet of Blair, Gross Chevrolet of Black River Falls, and Arcadia Chrysler. Don also did occasional general carpentry work for Gene Berg. He was a long-time member of North Presbyterian Church where was well known and recognized as the “Door Man”, consistently being there to greet the attendees while making an effort to remember as many names as he could. He also served the church regularly as an usher, helped with Monday and Mobil Meals, and helped build the garage on the church grounds.

Don enjoyed watching the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Cubs, and NASCAR (especially Dale Earnhardt, Sr.) while sitting in his favorite “blue rocker”. He kept his many cars clean over the years, washing and waxing them often saying this was his therapy. He loved working in the yard, riding his lawn tractor to mow the grass, old cars, hunting, and fishing. While living in the French Creek area of Ettrick, he was fortunate enough to be able to hunt deer and turkey within sight of his home on land owned by good friends, Gene and Bonnie Berg. In fact, on opening day during his last season of deer hunting in 2006, he shot a doe in the morning and an 8-point buck in the afternoon. His greatest joy, however, was his grandson, Morgan.

Don’s family wishes to give special thanks to Dr. Rhonda Heun, Dr. Matthew Evenson, Dr. Jennifer Winegarden, Dr. Joe Behn, and all the nursing staff on 5C at Mayo in La Crosse for the wonderful care they provided for Don during his journey.

Don is survived by his wife, Marabeth; daughter, Pamela (Daniel) Ervin; grandson, Morgan Ervin; sisters, Maureen (Wesley) Tabbert and Kathleen Durden; and many nieces and nephews. Don was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Iowne; and brother-in-law, Dale Durden.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, January 13, 2025, at North Presbyterian Church in La Crosse. Visitation will be held from 9:30 am until the time of services at the church. Rev. Scott Skogen will officiate. A private burial will be held at the Neshonoc Cemetery in West Salem, WI.