Donald J. Musbach

Donald Joseph Musbach, 86, of rural Norwalk, Wis., passed away peacefully Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, at his home in Ridgeville.

Don was born April 16, 1933, in Port Washington, Wis., to Edger and Mabel (Damerow) Musbach.

On Oct. 9, 1954, he was united in marriage to Jane F. Weiland at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Port Washington.

Don raised his family in Grafton, Wis.  He worked at the Hembel Implement and also at his brother Roger’s gas station as a mechanic.

He played a role in local politics where he served on the town board for 10 years.  On weekends, he would pack up the family and his steam engines that he built and they would go to Illinois for steam engine shows. He enjoyed taking his family camping. When he wasn’t working on engines, he enjoyed being part of the Grafton dart league.

Don spent a lot of years driving north to go hunting and that is when he found the farm on Summit Ridge. He moved his family there in 1976.  Don worked at Northern Engraving for 29 years in the maintenance department.

When he was 14 years old, he built his first tractor. His farm on Summit Ridge was the home of many of his later built engines and machines. His daughter Mindy was his go-to for naming the tractors and cows; this was something he enjoyed.  He was an expert mechanic who could fix just about anything, and he loved doing it.

When he lived on Summit Ridge, he began to get involved in local politics and was elected to the Ridgeville Town Board for 10 years.  Don was a kind, gentle and caring man. He loved the land around him, his cows and tractors; spending time sitting by his stove in his shop with his dog Max by his side. He enjoyed having his grandson Tyler by his side, cutting wood and helping with chores. Don cherished his family and time spent with all of them.

Don is survived by his children Michael Musbach, Melody (Harold) Cleveland, Monica (Greg) Fortun, Marcy (Sandy) Musbach and Mindy (Pete) Bullen; grandchildren Ryan Bullen, Tyler Fortun and Jess (Thomas) Wan; one great-granddaughter, Claire Flock; sister Mary Ann Frerich; brother Richard (Evonne) Musbach; sister-in-law Jackie Musbach; special friend Ethel Greene; good friend Jim Erdman; many nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and his beloved dog Max.

Don was preceded in death by his wife Jane; parents Edger and Mabel; grandparents Joe and Johanna Musbach and Otto and Lillian Damrow; and brother Roger Musbach.

A private family funeral and burial was held Thursday, Nov. 14, at Don’s treasured farm. A Celebration of life for family and friends was held the same day from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Club Oasis Supper Club in Sparta, Wis.

Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.  

The Torkelson Page-Smith Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.