Donald "Don" William Hieronimus

Donald “Don” Hieronimus, 76, Wausau, passed away peacefully January 11, 2025 at home surrounded by family.

He was born August 26, 1948 in Wausau, son of the late Ervin and Elsie (Graveen) Hieronimus.  Don was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Rib Falls.  On November 13, 1971 he was united in marriage to Lynette Karlen at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Town of Cassel.  In 2021, they were blessed to celebrate 50 years of marriage with their family and friends.

Don grew up on a dairy farm and attended Mitchell School in his early years and then graduated from Marathon High School.  He was a member of the 1964 wrestling team that went on to be Conference Champions.  Don proudly served his country in the United States Navy from 1966-1969.  On May 15, 2023, he had the privilege of going on the Honor Flight to Washington D.C. accompanied by his son, Mark.

Don worked as a welder at Drott/J.I. Case and later at Woods Equipment.  He served on the Zion Lutheran church council and was also Secretary/Treasurer of the Zion Cemetery Association.  He was a member of the American Legion Post 469 in Marathon.

His sons, Todd and Mark, were his pride and joy.  He loved having them work alongside him in the woods, making maple syrup, hunting with them and taking them fishing.  In his retirement, he spent countless hours in the woods making firewood, working in his garden or taking care of his yard and doing other lawn mowing jobs.  In spring, Don could be found in his syrup shack cooking down sap into sweet maple syrup.  Some of Don’s most cherished vacations were houseboat trips in northern Minnesota.  He attended all his grandkids’ sporting events and treasured the special moments he created with each of them.  Great-grandchildren brought another layer of endless love into Don’s life.  He cherished their visits.  His grand-puppies Bailee and Chester knew “grandpa” and were always excited to visit him and get treats.

He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Survivors include his beloved wife, Lynette; son Mark (Lisa); daughter in-law Sarah Hieronimus; four grandchildren; Zach (Caitlyn) Hieronimus, Casie (Adam) Pritzl, Luke Hieronimus, and Brianna Hieronimus; one step-grandchild, Lauren Watters; and five great-grandchildren, Clayton, Elena, Elijah, Theodore and a baby boy due in March; in laws Mary Ann Karlen, Patricia Kryshak, Michael (Roxanne) Karlen and Beverly Behnke (Mike Sommers); and many nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his son, Todd; in-laws Alex & Lorraine Karlen; great-grandson, Callum; brothers Roger (Sharlene) and James; sister Jeannie (Joe) Ginzinger; brother and sister in-laws Marjean (Jim) Nowack, Ronald (Lynn) Karlen, Myron Karlen; and two nieces Brenda Nowack and Bonnie Karlen.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 PM Saturday, January 18, 2025 at St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church, Marathon WI.  Pastor Jon Hadler will be officiating.  Visitation will be from 9:00 AM until 12:00 PM.  Lunch will follow the service at St. Matthew’s.  Burial will follow at Zion Cemetery, Town of Stettin, with full military honors conducted at the cemetery by the American Legion Post No. 469 Marathon.

The family would like to thank his palliative care nurse, Sarah, and the hospice care team for taking such good care of Don.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com