Donald N. Post

Donald Norman Post, 80, passed away Thursday, June 29, 2017 at Colonial Manor Medical and Rehabilitation Center in Wausau, WI. Don was born July 18, 1936 to the late Gustave Post and Laura (Wolfe) Post, in their home in Easton, WI. After graduating from Wausau East High School he served in the US Army for two years, stationed in Germany. After returning from the army, he earned a degree in zoology from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. Don was married to Joanne (Rhyner-Lombard) Post on August 1, 1981; they were married 35 years. Don took a unique and interesting path through life, ambitiously exploring many different interests. He was the owner and operator of Sunmobile Enterprises and Sunmobile VW Service Center in Wausau, specializing in VW repair and building custom dune buggies. With his wife, Jo, he later operated a game farm and wild animal zoo on his property in Rib Falls. Renegade Ridge Zoo and Wild Animal Ranch was home to such animals as cougars, bobcats, foxes, raccoons, and much, much more. In 1988 Don and Jo bought a pet store in Wausau, Renegade Pets. While owning the pet store, they also operated a dog kennel, Renegade Kennels, where they raised German Shepherds as well as several other breeds for 30 years, even after they retired from the pet store in 1999. Don was a Jack-of-all-trades who knew how to build or fix just about anything, and if he didn't know how, he could figure it out. Besides being a zoologist and a mechanic, he was an accomplished off road racer, racing both snowmobiles and Baja Bugs. He was also an amateur writer, carpenter, electrician, plumber and photographer in addition to being an expert at sarcastic humor and consuming large quantities of desserts. Don enjoyed an almost spiritual connection with the land that he lived on and the wildlife that lived there with him, he had a deep appreciation for the natural world and its preservation. He enjoyed spending time with his family ,his animals and his land. Don is survived by his wife, Jo Post, Town of Rib Falls; daughter Amy (Scott) Mundt, Ashland; step-daughter Jennifer (Kevin) Zaitz, Wausau; son Josh (Emily) Post, LaCrosse; step-son Rob (Chrissy) Lombard, Manitowoc; grandchildren, Eliza, Levi, Lauren, Logan, Lillie and Colton; sisters, Janice (Marty) Gaugush, Wausau, Sharon (Gerry) Albrecht, Wausau, Phyllis (Bruce) Ehlers, Hilton Head Island, S.C.; brother Allen Post, Wausau; and many other friends and family. Don was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Gerald Post; sister, Carol Hodges. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 18, 2017 at St. John Ev. Lutheran Church, Town of Rib Falls. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services all at the church. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Marathon is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com