Don Parker's Funeral Mass Video

Don E. Parker, age 82 of Hortonville, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Saturday, December 10, 2022.  Don was born on March 25, 1940 in the town of Center to the late Howard and Emily (Bohl) Parker.  He attended Bethlehem Lutheran Elementary Grade School and was confirmed on April 11, 1954.  His confirmation verse was John 15:5.  Don graduated from Hortonville High School in 1958.  On November 14, 1959 he married his high school sweetheart, Margaret (Mugs) Lautenschlager and became a member of SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church.  Together, they celebrated 62 years of marriage and raised four children.  Grandpa loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, especially singing and rocking them.  They always brought a genuine smile to his face.  Don was a proud veteran of the US Army, along with his six brothers, who also served their country.  Don was an avid outdoorsman, who enjoyed spending time in nature, whether it was fishing at his cabin on the Wolf River, especially the spring walleye run, deer hunting from his "big" blind, bear hunting in Three Lakes, chasing mountain lions in Idaho, and fishing in Canada.  He logged hundreds of miles walking the Wiouwash Nature Trail.  Don worked in construction his entire life.  He and Mugs also owned and operated Parkers Party Port.  In 1970, he took a leap of faith purchasing a dump truck, cat and backhoe, establishing Don E. Parker Exc., Inc., which is a successful water and sewer construction company, that is currently owned and operated by his two oldest sons, Jeff and Brian.  He was a volunteer firefighter, a member of Shadows on the Wolf, a charter member of Grandview Golf Course, along with many other endeavors.

Don is survived by his wife of 63 years, Margaret "Mugsy" and his four children, Jeff (Barb) Parker, Brian (Rhonda) Parker, Chad Parker and Kim "Freckles" (Mark) Baehman; grandchildren, Katye "Skeezicks" (Jared) Olk, Travis (Abby)  Parker, Whitney "Miss Whitney" (special friend, Mitch), Tawny "Blondie Blue Eyes"( J.D.) Forsling  and Cole Parker, Tasia "Tasia Ann" (special friend, Mike) and Chase (Stephanie) Parker, Luke Baehman and Olivia "Snicklefritz" (special friend, Ty); great-grandchildren, Shaylee Jo, Gavin, Garrett, Miles, Charli and Waylon.  He is further survived by his sisters-in-law, Marlene Parker and Lecia Parker, along with in-laws, Eugene and Virginia Lautenschlager and Anna and Gary Krueger and numerous nieces and nephews.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son, Joseph; an infant grandson, Nicholas; siblings, Glen, Rita, Leon, Dean, Larry, Tim and Ted Parker; in-laws,Florence and Herbert Gabriel, Charles and Lucille Lautenschlager and Donna and Robert Immel.

The Funeral Mass for Don will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 16, 2022 at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Hortonville with Fr. Phil Schoofs officiating.  The visitation will take place from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 15, 2022 at the church and again on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the mass. Burial will be in the parish cemetery.

A special thank you to Mike and Kate Rychlock and Jim Emmons, for their continued support and weekly phone calls. The family also wishes to thank Fr. Phil, Dr. Felix Jolly Odenthal Jolly, Dr. Carrie Chapman, ThedaCare At Home, especially Hayley and ThedaCare Hospice, especially, Beth for all their kind and compassionate care.  Also thank you to Borchardt Moder Funeral Home, especially Logan and Kent.

In memory of Don, a donation will be given to Wounded Warriors and Tunnel To Towers.

You are whole again and pain free....go hunt, fish and enjoy nature!

We love you!