Donald W. Edlebeck

Donald W. Edlebeck, 95, of Goodman left this life to return home to the Lord on Tuesday, February 17, 2015. He was born on February 7, 1920 in Goodman, Wisconsin to James and Kathryn (Wesely) Edlebeck. Don graduated from Goodman High School in 1937. He then attended Dundon Business School in Iron Mountain, MI, spent one year with the Civil Conservation Corps at Camp Dunbar, Wisconsin until moving to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1939 to work as a machinist. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1942 and served his country in Europe with B Company, 125 Engineering Battalion of 14th Armored Division during WWII until the end of the war in 1945. Upon returning home to Goodman, he started a Watkins Product sales business traveling throughout Marinette, Florence and Forest Counties. While traveling the area and meeting the rural families, he met the love of his life Mary Ann VanPembrook. Soon after, they were married on October 24, 1953. Don started working for the Calumet and Hecla Lumber Company in Goodman in 1954, learning and excelling at a new trade, lumber grading and continued until his retirement. Together they raised 11 children until 1975, when Mary Ann passed away. Don married Ann Yenter on September 25, 1980, bringing a new guiding light to the family. Ann preceded him in death on April 23, 2009. Don loved the gifts that God provided. Vegetable gardening was his passion, using composting techniques he observed in Europe during the war as a method of fertilizing for many years. He loved working with wood and passed this on to his children. He treated trees as a renewable resource, much as his gardens. His benches, birdhouse and small crafts can be found all over the country, as he found much pleasure in sharing with friends and relatives. Don was quick with funny stories and he had an unlimited supply of jokes and quick one liners. His wisdom of life and his faith in God was strong and he firmly believed that our lives are in HIS hands. Don leaves one brother Kenneth (Lorraine) of Crivitz, Wisconsin, nine sons Anthony (Denise) Edlebeck of Kingsford, Michigan, Joseph Edlebeck of Iron Mountain, Michigan, John (Patty) Edlebeck of Kingsford, Michigan, Daniel (Darlene) Edlebeck of Wabeno, Wisconsin, Charles (Debra) Edlebeck, Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin, Martin (Natalie) Edlebeck of Fort Worth, Texas, David (Bonita) Edlebeck of Niagara, Wisconsin, Andrew (Vickie) Edlebeck of Appleton, Wisconsin and Vincent (Christine) Edlebeck of Davenport, Florida; two daughters, Barbara (Steve) Sheldon of Neshkoro, Wisconsin and Stephanie (Andy) Metko of Appleton, Wisconsin, three step-sons James (Barbara) Johnson of Spring Hills, Florida, Richard (Marlene) Johnson of Pembine, Wisconsin and Glen (Patricia) Johnson of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; a step-daughter, Karen (Tom) Schmitt of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; grandchildren; Brian, Sara, Maureen, Mark, Kevin, Paul, Erin, Adam, Anna, Hope, Hailey, Heather, Holly, Benjamin, Christina, Noah, Jackson, Spencer, Cody, Jacob and Michael, four step-grandchildren, Bettina, Linda, Jason and Jennifer; four great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents and wives, Don was preceded in death by one son, six brothers and five sisters. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 5:00 to 8:00 pm and on Friday from 9:30 to 10:30 am at the Kingsford Funeral Home . Funeral services will be at 11:00 am at American Martyrs Catholic Church in Kingsford. Fr. Joseph Gouin will offer the Mass of Christian Burial. Burial will be in the Goodman Cemetery in the spring. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Donald Edlebeck online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com. The Family would like to express a sincere appreciation for all those that help Dad over the past few years in Goodman, the wonderful staff at Evergreen Assisted Living in Kingsford for the past several months and the staff at the Oscar Johnson Veterans Medical Center in Iron Mountain for their exceptional care and caring for Dad. The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Home of Kingsford with the funeral arrangements.

Donald W. Edlebeck

February 7, 1920 - February 17, 2015