Donald F. Isensee

     Donald “Butch” was born March 2, 1947, to the late Donald and Ida Mae (Garves) Isensee.

     Butch grew up in Cataract on the family farm and after high school he joined the Air Force in 1966 and served until 1970.  He was stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, South Dakota as a jet engine mechanic.  He met the love of his life Sandy and they married on August 26, 1966.  They had their first son, Jeffrey in 1969.  In 1970, they moved back to the Sparta area and had their second son, Christopher in 1971.  In 1976, the family moved to Cataract and started a small hobby farm.  Butch worked several years at Northern Engraving then started driving for Standard Materials Ready Mix; working his way up to Plant Manager in Black River Falls.  Butch then worked as the plant manager at River City Ready Mix in Tomah until he retired in 2010.

     Butch enjoyed spending lots of time outdoors fishing, hunting, and gardening.  He was also active with the Cataract Sportsmen’s Club as part of his passion for trap shooting and spending time with family and many friends.  He also enjoyed taking his Harley Davidson out on long rides. Grandpa especially enjoyed spending time with his grandkids, whether that be pushing them on the swings, long walks in the woods, walks to the creek, teaching them how to hunt, or following all their sporting events. Great-grandpa also loved spending time being with Ivy and Everly.  He had a sincere love and devotion to his kids and grandkids.  He also had lots of room in his big heart for all his dogs.

    Donald “Butch” Isensee, died Saturday, April 13, 2019, at Gundersen Health System, La Crosse, at the age of 72 years.

     Butch was survived by his wife, Sandra (Yahnke) of 52 years; children, Jeff Isensee and Chris (Patti) Isensee; grandkids, Jordan (Aaron) Hallingstad, Mackenzie (Jeff) Wilson, Kylie Isensee, Samantha Isensee, Christopher Isensee, and Nicholas Isensee; great-grandchildren, Ivy Hallingstad and Everly Wilson. He was also survived by siblings, Dale (Sue) Isensee, Carol (Bill) Wadephul, and Chery Isensee; and many nieces and nephews.

     Private services with military honors were held at Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, Sparta, WI. Online condolences were offered to the family at www.schanhoferfh.com

     Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.

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