Donald Schraufnagel

Verona:  Donald R. Schraufnagel, age 94, passed on Saturday, February 22, 2020. He was born on March 22, 1925 in Ashland WI. He was one of 17 children and grew up in Peeksville, south of Glidden WI.

Donald will be welcomed Home by many aunts and uncles, his parents Michael and Mary Schraufnagel, and all 16 of his brothers and sisters; as well as his high school sweetheart and wife of 70+ years, Katherine E Schraufnagel (Hildebrandt); their infant daughter Lucy, grandson Justin, and son Mark. He leaves behind 8 of their 10 children and their families:

Daughter Donna and her family: Jay (Melissa) and their children Kegan, Emerson.

Daughter Arie (Mike) and their family:

Sara and her son Brody;

Sam (Sarah) and their children Charlotte, Elliott.

Son Paul (Allie) and their family:

Mason (Racheal) and their son Finnegan Lee;

the late Justin;

Meredith (Michael) and their children Peyton, Jack;

Wayman (Kathryn) and their children Clare, Colleen.

Daughter, the late Lucy.

Son, the late Mark; his family:

Katrina (Charlie) and their children Wyatt, Ava, Leo, IIsa;

Luke (Sarah) and their children Audrianna and Elliot;

Megan (Justin) and their children: Owen, Eden, Maya.

Son Barry (Julie) and their family:

Tylee (Patrick);

Jesse.

Son Guy (Susan) and their family:

Dan (Joann) and their children Leslie, Claire;

Cory;

Jimmy (Amanda) and their children: Mason, Chloe, Archer, Brenna;

Eric (Lindsey)

Son Mike (Janice) and their family:

Donnie (Miree) and their children Camila, Nola;

Louie;

Grace.

Daughter Mary (Richard) and their son Joseph.

Daughter Julie.

There will be a Visitation on Friday, March 6, 2020 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Cress Funeral Home, 6021 University Ave, Madison, WI.

On Saturday, March 7.2020, at St Maria Goretti Church, 5313 Flad Ave, there will be a Visitation from 9:30 to 10:00 am. The Funeral Mass will be from 10:00 to 11:00 am. Immediately following will be the Burial Service and Military Honors at Resurrection Cemetery, 2705 Regent St, Madison, WI. Back at St Maria Goretti Church there will be a luncheon that will run until 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to SSM Health At Home Hospice, 2802 Walton Commons Ln, Madison, WI 53718, or Bob Davis Veterans Center, Mountain Home, Arkansas, go to bobdavisvets.com. Click on Go Fund Me logo at top left hand corner, then click on Donation.  This is a project that Donald's oldest son, Paul, has been volunteering a lot of time to and Donald was very impressed with this project. The building is nearing completion, but they need funds to furnish the place and to get programs up and running.

Dancin’ on Daddy’s Shoes

A Remembrance of

Donald R Schraufnagel

March 22, 1925 - February 22, 2020

Donald R Schraufnagel was born on March 22, 1925 in Ashland WI. A few of his interests while growing up included his family’s farm, mill and logging camps, and in making maple syrup. His love of music began at an early age and he talked about being delighted when he could dance on his Daddy’s shoes.

By 1938 WWII had begun in Europe and in 1941 the Japanese attacked the United States at Pearl Harbor. In 1943, when he was 17 years old, Donald enlisted in the United States Navy. His main work was manning landing craft boats and converting seawater to fresh water. He served on four different troop-carrying ships, all destined to serve in the war effort on four Pacific islands: Saipan, Tinian, Leyte and Okinawa. These island invasions took place in the midst of active military warfare. The Japanese typically dropped mortar shells on the landing craft boats and, for example, at the battle of Okinawa, the Japanese sent 500 planes against the United States invading ships and landing craft boats.

In 1945 Donald was diagnosed as having tuberculosis. In 1946 the Navy discharged him to the tubercular sanatorium in Bayfield WI. One month later he was released to go home for nine days to marry his high school sweetheart, Katherine E Hildebrandt. He then returned to the Sanatorium until, in 1947, he was well enough to go home – for good. Donald had served proudly and bravely.

In 1948 the first of ten children was born and Donald and his wife devoted their lives to raising them. During these years of their growing family Donald also attended the University of Wisconsin from 1949 through 1951. The family then moved to St Paul so he could attend the University of Minnesota School of Architecture. A year later, after battling tuberculosis for seven years, medical exams revealed Donald’s tubercular condition was healed. In June 1955 he graduated with a degree in Architecture.

By 1957 the family had moved to Madison WI and Donald was employed by the State of Wisconsin where he worked for the next 32 years. In 1962 he became a registered Architect. From 1984-1990 he was the Project Architect for all restoration projects in the Capitol Building at Madison WI.

In 1990 Donald retired and he and his wife did some of the traveling they had always wished to do. In 1996 they celebrated their 50-year Golden Wedding Anniversary. He was an original member of St Maria Goretti Church and remained active there throughout his life. During his retirement he continued to help his children with their families and inspired them to grow their businesses. He spent a great deal of time writing, both poetry and his family history.

His love of music was constant throughout his entire life – singing in several choirs over the years, including at the State Capitol where he was known as Mr Christmas; caroling with his family through the snow at Christmas time; playing his auto-harp; and encouraging the tradition of singing at family gatherings. As someone said, he was a fun-loving man who lived on music.

(1) Leon Redbone

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Cress Center

6021 University Ave. Madison

(608) 238-8406