Donald Leroy Bartsch

Donald Bartsch, age 81, of Granton, WI died Saturday, April 2, 2016 at the House of The Dove in Marshfield, WI.Donald Leroy Bartsch was born on June 21, 1934 in the Town of Fremont, Clark County, Wisconsin the son of Fred E. and Clara (Handke) Bartsch. He attended Franklin Country School, Zion Lutheran Parochial School. He played high school sports, football, baseball and basketball and graduated from Granton High School in 1953. Don entered the United States Army in 1954 and was honorably discharged in 1956. On June 2, 1956 he was united in marriage to Lavon Garbisch at the Zion Lutheran Church in Granton, WI. He worked for Parkins Ice Cream, later Lynn Dairy hauling "can" milk. For 36 years he farmed in the Town of Fremont and the Town of York. After retiring from farming, Don worked at the Loyal Pallet Company. Don and Lavon have been together for 60 years.Don was a member of the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Granton. He served on the church council, helped with the fall pancake supper, the Sunday School Breakfast, sang in the church choir for years and helped with the planning of the church's 125 anniversary. He served as the second supervisor for the Town of York, was a Friend of the Granton Park Committee and worked on the ball diamond at the Granton Park. He was a member of the Granton FFA Alumni and has belonged to Associated Milk Products Cooperative. He worked at the Farm Progress Days at Loyal. He is survived by his wife, Lavon, three children, Rhonda (Angelo) Doud of Burlington, IA, Russell Bartsch of Granton, WI and Ronald Bartsch of Granton, WI. Six Grandchildren, Megan Doud, Brittany Prill, Natalee Doud, Rick Bartsch, Kayla Foemmel and Brooke Jordan, six, Great Grandchildren, Cayden, Bennett, Alli, Presley, Pailynn and Porter. Don is further survived by three sisters-in-law, Jane Bartsch of Granton, WI, Betty Bartsch of Plover, WI and Margene Bartsch of Marshfield, WI along with many nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Merle Bartsch, Leland Bartsch and Fred Bartsch Jr.A Memorial Service for Don will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 9, 2016 at the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Granton, WI. Pastor Daniel Schoessow will officiate. Music will be provided by Caroline Helm, organist. Interment will be in the Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery with Military Honors performed by the Neillsville Veteran's Council. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday and from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Saturday at the church.Online Condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com. The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Donald's family with Funeral arrangements.Funeral Home:Gesche Funeral Home4 South Grand AvenueNeillsville, WIUS 54456