Donald "Don" Robert Espen

Madison – Donald R. “Don” Espen, age 90, passed away on Sunday March 9, 2025, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison. He was born January 17, 1935, in Madison to the late Gerhard and Mabel (Graf) Espen. Don married Shirley Dyer on March 5, 1960, at the Italian Methodist Church in Madison. He was employed by the Madison Metropolitan School District for many years.

Don is survived by his wife of 65 years Shirley; daughter Lisa (David) Pliner; grandson Nicholas and granddaughter Erin Pliner both of Madison; sisters-in-law Sharon Montenegro and Dona Dyer; and he is further survived by nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday March 15, 2025, at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison, WI 53705. Burial will follow at Sunset Memory Garden. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until the service at the funeral home on Saturday.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3610 Speedway Road, Madison

(608) 238-3434

Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com