Obituary of Donald Krohn

Donald John Krohn, 84, Port Edwards, died Monday, November 12, 2012 at Riverview Hospital, Wisconsin Rapids. Services will be at 11:00 AM on Friday, November 16 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Port Edwards. Reverend Daniel Bohn will officiate. Visitation will be on Thursday, November 15 at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM, and from 10:00 AM until the time of services on Friday at the church. Burial will be in the Port Edwards Municipal Cemetery. Don was born October 29, 1928 in Marshfield to the late John and Molly (Leder) Krohn. He is a 1947 graduate of Lincoln High School. Don met his future wife, Inez Ruesch, at a dance and after dating for a few years, they were married August 11, 1956 at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Wisconsin Rapids. Don began working as a boy delivering newspapers for the Daily Tribune, later their photographer and continued working throughout his entire life, having his final article about tree farming published in the newspaper this past Saturday. In the intervening years, Don worked for Nekoosa Paper-Georgia Pacific for 37 years in public relations, retiring in 1990. Over the years he also was a tireless volunteer in the community: retiring as an assistant chief from the Port Edwards Fire Dept after 31 years, serving as a deputy sheriff of Wood County, serving 14 years as the co-director and art coordinator of the Alexander House, member of the Wisconsin Rapids Chamber of Commerce and the Port Edwards Business Council, a founding board member of the South Wood County Community Foundation now known as the Incourage Community Foundation, serving as a public information officer with the DNR and fire warden, an active member of the Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association and the State Tree Farm Committee and active member of Trinity Lutheran Church serving as an elder and usher for many years. His favorite endeavor was the Roche-A-Cri Tree Farm in Adams County which he owned and operated and won the 2007 Wisconsin Tree Farmer of the Year award and was runner up in the national competition. Don served in the National Guard for a number of years, being discharged at the rank of master sergeant. With all that kept Don busy, he was most proud of being a loving husband and devoted father and grandfather. Nothing would make him happier than to have all of his family gathered together at the cabin in Tomahawk or his hunting shack on the tree farm. In his free time, Don enjoyed music, art, writing, reading and photography. A permanent exhibit of his work can be found at the Wood County Historical Society entitled ?Krohnographs?. Don also was an avid Badger and Packers fan. In retirement, he and Inez went to Tree Farm conventions across the country, Alaska and several trips to Germany. Survivors include his beloved wife, Inez; children, Kathryn (Greg Gill) Krohn-Gill of Merrill, Steven (Julie) Krohn of Wisconsin Rapids, Sara (Scott) Rezin of Appleton, Lisa (Tim) Lawin of Lake Elmo, MN and David (Elizabeth) Krohn of St. Paul, MN; grandchildren, Molly (Joe) Pilarski, Paul Gill, Bryan (Evan) Rezin, Alyson (Ian) McCann, Kristin (Brad) Heiges, Elizabeth Lawin, Jane, Gus and Evelyn Krohn; great-granddaughter, Emerson Rezin; sister, Marjorie Sutton of Waukesha; brother-in-law, Ralph Grover of Altoona; and brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and friends. He is preceded in death by his sister, Arlene Grover and brothers, Gene and Thomas Krohn. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the following In Memory of Donald Krohn: Trinity Lutheran Church (990 3rd Street, Port Edwards, WI 54469) or Incourage Community Foundation (478 E. Grand Ave, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494).