Donald Kolbach

Donald J. Kolbach, age 89, of Port Washington, Wis., passed away Tuesday, June 28, 2022, at Aurora Health Center in Grafton, Wis.

Born Sept. 21, 1932, on the family farm in the Town of Port Washington, Don was the son of George and Rose Jacque Kolbach.

As a young man, Don lived with his older sister in Butler, Wis., where he took a job at the Milwaukee Road railroad.

Don served his country as a corporal in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from 1952 to 1954.

Upon his return from service, Don worked on the family farm and at Simplicity Manufacturing in Port Washington.

On July 30, 1955, Don married Margaret “Midge” Pejka of Milwaukee at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in St. Francis, Wis. Together they established their home in Port Washington to raise a family.

In the early years, Don went to night school, taking a job with the former Brophy and Miller Electric in Port Washington. He remained with Miller Electric until his retirement in 1994.

Don led a life of family and service to faith and community. He enjoyed helping others. A longtime member and volunteer with St. Peter of Alcantara Parish, he was in the choir for many years and its Men’s Club and shared his knowledge often. He spent many years as the electrical technician for the Men’s Club Fish Day stand and Fish Day tents and electrical setup throughout the grounds.

He had been a member of the Ozaukee Memorial Post 5373 VFW and its honor guard.

Don was a proud participant in the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight on Oct. 24, 2015, and a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 494 Union.

He personally found joy in his grandchildren, tinkering in his garage and family time up north.

Don is survived by his children Jane (Lee) Grantham of Greenfield, Ken (Lori) Kolbach of Port Washington, Peter (Linda) Kolbach of Port Washington, Ann (Neil) Mandel of Minocqua and Kathy (John Oberhofer) Kolbach of Port Washington; 10 grandchildren, Christopher, Matthew, Cassiopea, Natalie, Stephanie, Daniel, Kevin, Steven, Kaitlyn and David; eight great-grandchildren, Kylee, Arthur, Seeley, River, Bernadette, Rose, Xavier and Victor; his sister Joan (the late Edward) Fechter of West Bend; his brother-in-law Archie (the late Lucille) Reid of Crandon; nieces; nephews; other relatives; and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife Midge on Nov. 20, 2018; his parents, siblings Marie and Norbert Lemanczyk, Florence “Red” and Frank Mrazik, George and Evelyn Kolbach, Henry “Hank” and Doris Kolbach, Esther and Wendell “Bud” Pulvermacher, Dorothy “Dolly” and Ted Glowacki and Rosalie “Sally” and Lawrence Feyereisen; and Midge’s sister Phyllis (Gordon) Schneider.

Don’s life will be celebrated with a Mass at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at St. John XXIII Catholic Parish, St. Peter of Alcantara Church, 1802 N. Wisconsin St., Port Washington, Wis. The Rev. Patrick Wendt will be the celebrant. The family will receive relatives and friends from 4 to 5:45 p.m. Tuesday at the church prior to Mass.

Entombment will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Port Washington during a private burial service.

Memorials to the Port Washington Food Pantry (www.thefoodpantryinc.com) are appreciated.

Poole Funeral Home/Crematory, Port Washington, Wis., is assisting the family.

Information and condolences are available at www.poolefh.com or (262) 284-4431.

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Ozaukee Press

Wisconsin’s largest paid circulation community weekly newspaper. Serving Port Washington, Saukville, Grafton, Fredonia, Belgium, as well as Ozaukee County government. Locally owned and printed in Port Washington, Wisconsin.

125 E. Main St.
Port Washington, WI 53074
(262) 284-3494
 

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