Donald "Don" W. Herr

     Donald William Herr, I, 77, of Cataract, Wis., died August 19, 2019, at Rolling Hills Rehabilitation Center in Sparta.

     He was born December 27, 1941, in Sparta, to David and Ethel (Greeno) Herr. Donald attended Daneville Elementary School and Sparta High School. He joined the United States Army in 1958, at only 17 years old. Donald attended University of Wisconsin-La Crosse; but shortly after had to withdraw, as he was called to the Berlin Crisis and was later deployed in 1990, for Desert Storm. He retired from military service as Captain in 2001.

     Donald met the love of his life, Judy Luther, and they were married on July 11, 1964; together they had three children, Donald, II (Lyndi) Herr; Kimberly (Paul) Ahnen; and Melissa Walker. Donald and Judy were also foster parents. Throughout his life he was involved in many community aspects: he was a Boy Scout leader for 19 years; he started the first responders in 1984; he was a ski patroller at Fort McCoy; on the Cataract Town Board since 1983; and he was an ATV, snowmobile, and hunter safety instructor. Donald was also a Jefferson Award Winner, Laymen Minister and MYF, President of the Cataract Cemetery Association, Air Rifle Instructor, a member of the Cataract PTO, honorary grandpa of Cataract School, chaperoned many trips to Washington D.C., and taught many children how to swim.

     Donald was preceded in death by his brother, David; sisters, Connie and Evonne; his parents, David and Ethel; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, George and Elizabeth Luther.

     In addition to his wife and children, survivors include his grandchildren, Aleshia (Matt) Vieth, Ben (Jessica) Ahnen, Donald Herr, III, Jenna (Aaron) Kast, Bethany (Brock) Ahnen, Laura (Tyler) Anderson, Lindsey (Brian) Smith, and Nicholas Ahnen; great-grandchildren, Chase Vieth, Payten Craig, Lexi Vieth, RaeLynn Craig, Avery Anderson, Easton Ahnen, Jamesen Craig, Bryer Anderson, and Raegan Kast; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.  

     Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., Thursday, August 22, 2019, at Cataract United Methodist Church, Cataract, Wis., Pastor Robbie Nowicki will officiate. Following the funeral services, military honors will be rendered outside of the church by the Neil S. Lewison American Legion Post 439 of Melrose and the United States Army Funeral Honor Guard. A visitation will be held from 4 p.m., until 8 p.m., Wednesday, August 21, 2019, at Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, 106 W. Franklin St., Sparta, and from 12 noon until the time of service, Thursday, at the church.

     Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, Sparta, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.schanhoferfh.com

     Don lived his life unselfishly serving his community. He always led by example and lived by the Boy Scout Oath:

“On my honor, I will do my best

To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law;

To help other people at all times;

To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.”

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Donald "Don" W. Herr, please visit our floral store.