Donald "Don" E. Kirk

Donald “Don” E. Kirk, 81, of Sparta, died Tuesday, October 2, 2018 at Gundersen Health System, La Crosse. He was born March 7, 1937 to the late Allan and Hazel (Pulham) Kirk in California.

Don proudly served his country in the US Army from 1961 to 1963. He married Judith Baumbach on September 11, 1965. To this union, four children, Lisa, Lori, Robert and Rita were born. Don and Judith later divorced. Don enjoyed spending time in the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed watching the Packers and Badgers football. At the age of 59, Don received a heart transplant and his family is forever grateful to the Linzmeier family of De Pere, WI for providing him this wonderful gift.

Don is survived by his four children, Lisa Finn, of Sparta; Lori Howard, of Rockland; Robert Kirk, of Chicago; and Rita Kirk, of Winona; his grandsons, Mitchell Kirk, William Finn, and Richard Finn. He is further survived by his four siblings, Owen (Dorothy) Kirk, of Lansing, IA; Ruth (Richard) Schmidt, of Sparta; Roy (Diane) Kirk, of Sparta and Vicki (William) Williams, of Sparta; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Allan and Hazel Kirk; an infant sister, Louise Kirk; half brother, Alan Kirk; and half sister, Edith Yeske.

Visitation for Don will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, October 4, at the Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home Sparta. A Celebration of Life will continue on Friday, from 10-11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial with full military honors provided by VFW Post 2112 will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, Sparta. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.schanhoferfh.com

Don’s family wishes to extend a special thank you to the entire staffs of Gundersen Health System of Sparta and La Crosse for the exceptional care given to him.

The Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, Sparta, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.

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