Donald L. Stubbe

Donald LeRoy Stubbe, 91, of Wausau passed into the Loving Arms of Jesus on Friday, April 28, 2017 at Mount View Care Center. Donald was born November 27, 1925 in Wausau. He was the son of the late Edward and Ella (Reissmann) Stubbe. He grew up in Wausau and graduated from Trinity Lutheran School and Wausau High School. On May 2, 1953, Donald married the love of his life, Jeanette Schroeder, at St. James Catholic Church in Wausau. Donald loved his country very much and during World War II left home and high school to join his two older brothers in the military. He proudly served for two years as a United States Army Surgical Technician in a Medical Corps Hospital in Heidelberg, Germany. He was a veteran of the Battle of the Bulge. Upon receiving his Honorable Discharge, Donald returned to Wausau High School to complete his education. Decades later, Donald, and other veterans like him, were honored at a very special Veterans Day ceremony organized by the staff and students of Wausau East High School. They were honored for returning to high school and earning their diplomas after leaving school, family, and friends to serve and defend the United States of America during World War II. After graduation from high school, Donald attended Business School in Milwaukee and completed several college courses in banking. He later graduated from the Wisconsin School of Banking in Madison. He worked for Citizens State Bank in Wausau for twenty-four years becoming the Assistant Cashier and Auditor. Donald also enjoyed a second career in retail at Palace Clothiers of Wausau for eighteen years. Donald was a very active lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Burns Post 388. He greatly enjoyed serving the Post in several leadership roles and proudly served as Post Commander. He faithfully volunteered his time for many years at VFW Bingo and the VFW Food & Beverage Stand at the Wisconsin Valley Fair. Donald was a very proud member of the VFW Color Guard marching in annual parades. As a member of the Honor Guard he considered it a great privilege to provide Graveside Military Honors for fellow veterans. For more than thirty-three years, he was a proud member of The American Legion Montgomery-Plant-Dudley Post 10. Donald had great respect for our flag and all that it stands for. He flew it proudly and often. A special honor and enduring memory for Dad was to be one of the veterans on the very first Central Wisconsin "Never Forgotten Honor Flight" to Washington, D.C. to view the World War II Memorial. In his younger days, Donald was an avid bowler playing on several leagues. He loved to sing and had a beautiful tenor voice. In the 1950's, he performed with the Wausau Barbershoppers. As a Charter Member of St. Matthew Catholic Church, Donald enjoyed singing in the choir for many years. In addition, he sang for many years with the St. Anne Catholic Church Choir. Later in life, Donald sang at many surrounding area Catholic Church gatherings with the Choraleers. No matter where we were, Dad always sang his own special, sweet version of "Happy Birthday" to us. Donald, Jeanette, and the family greatly enjoyed camping in the Minocqua area every weekend during the summer for twenty years. Dad played his guitar and sang many beloved songs around the campfire. His versions of "There's a Hole in the Bottom of the Sea" and "Old Shep" will forever remain in our hearts. As a family, we enjoyed swimming and fishing. In the 1970's, Dad caught a 42" musky on Madeline Lake and won a rod and reel at the local sports store for having caught the largest musky of the month. He was very proud of his catch! During those camping years, Dad's Army Medic skills came in pretty handy! In 1978, Donald and the family drove to Los Angeles, California to visit his brother and family. It was an amazing trip that gave us such wonderful, happy memories. In retirement, Donald and Jeanette found great joy babysitting their grandchildren and attending many of their special events. In addition, Donald and Jeanette enjoyed twelve wonderful Snowbird Winters in Destin, Florida with family. Dad loved to feed the birds and squirrels. A photo of him feeding the seagulls on the beach appeared on the front page of the Destin newspaper. Donald was always faithful to God, to Mom, to family, to his country, and to all of his responsibilities. He was a man filled with faith, an example he set for us all! He was a loving, devoted husband, a great dad, and a wonderful, caring grandfather and great-grandfather. He was our hero! He will be deeply missed! Donald is survived by his sweetheart of sixty-four years, Jeanette; children, Diana Stubbe (William Zell) of Grayling, MI, Mark Stubbe of Weston, and Christine (Paul) Mizgalski of Schofield; and grandchildren, Jacob and Zachary Mizgalski and Jennifer Stubbe and great-grandson, Laekin. He is also survived by Edward and Marge Stubbe, Helen Stubbe, Bette Ann and Irving Fletcher, Jeannie Schroeder, Doris and George Melder, Thomas Schroeder and Jeanette Mitchell, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Donald is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Lucille Streck; brothers, Clayton Stubbe and Floyd Stubbe; brothers-in-law, Carey Schroeder and Milton Streck; sister-in-law, Wendy Schroeder; niece, Roxanne Fletcher; and nephew, Ricky Fletcher. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 11, 2017 at St. Anne Catholic Church, Wausau. The Reverend Alan Burkhardt will preside. Entombment will be in Memorial Chapel Mausoleum, Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau, where full Military Honors will be conducted by members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Burns Post No. 388. Family and friends may call on Wednesday, May 10, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau. A Rosary Service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Visitation will also be held at church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. A special heartfelt thank you from our family to the truly exceptional staff at Mount View Care Center's Gardenside Crossing. The compassionate care Dad received will always be remembered. We also wish to thank the staff of Marshfield Clinic and Aspirus Wausau Hospital, including Palliative Care and Hospice Care Services, for the excellent care they gave Dad. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.