Donald (Don) A. Pavlat, 87, of Casco passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side on Sunday March 30, 2014. He was born on September 30, 1926 in Rio Creek to Emil and Anna (Bitzan) Pavlat. Don was a graduate of Casco High School in May, 1943. Following this he enlisted in the Merchant Marines and served from 1944 to 1946. Following his service to his country he married Bea DePas on May 11, 1948 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Luxemburg. They celebrated 65 years of marriage last year.
Don was a hardworking individual who had many talents. He enjoyed farming and ran the family farm. In 1957 he was named the Kewaunee County Outstanding Young Farmer. Positions he held throughout his lifetime included the original manager of Casco F/S, welder at the Sturgeon Bay Ship Yard, bus driver for the Casco School District, maintenance engineer at Packerland Packing and Northland Cold Storage, as well as the maintenance person for Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Casco.
Don was active in his community. He was a lifelong member of Holy Trinity Parish in Casco and a member of Holy Trinity Holy Name Society. He was a member of the Luxemburg Council of the Knights of Columbus, a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters Ct. 1633, and a member of the Casco Lions. He served as a former district governor of Lions District 27 B2 and president of the Wisconsin Lions Eye Bank in Madison. Don was a member of the Casco American Legion Post 319, a past president of the Kewaunee County Civil Defense, and a member of the Luxemburg Sportsman's Club. He served as a board member of the Old Glory Honor Flight. Due to his hard work and dedication to his community, Don and his wife Bea received the Luxemburg-Casco Alumni Award in 2007.
Don is survived by his wife Bea; his seven children Sherrie (Carl) Hedstrom, Green Bay; Terrie (Greg) Gabriel, Casco; Jackie (Mike) Peot, Luxemburg; Vicki (Rick) Petersen, McPherson, Kansas; Perry (Fran) Pavlat, Casco; Polly (Jim) Gomand, New Franken; and Barry (Marge) Pavlat, Casco; his grandchildren Jamie (Travis) Annoye, Casey (John) DeGrand, Heidi (Kevin) Henry, Holly (Danny) Mullin, Justin (fiancAC. Kristen) Gabriel, Jenny (fiancAC. Scott) Gabriel, Joshua (Amy) Dorner, Eric (Kari) Dorner, Katie (Tait) Waege, Sandy (Troy) Rentmeester, Nicole (Darrin) Fraser, Jeanna (Ken) Schoonmaker, Scott (Rebecca) Petersen, Jeff (Stephanie) Petersen, Greg (Ashley) Petersen, Dr. Michelle (friend Steve) Pavlat, Lisa (Dan) Strey, Steve (friend Jenna) Pavlat, Tina Pavlat, Brandon (friend Amanda) Gomand, Emily (friend Kory) Gomand, Matt Pavlat, Heather (friend Eric) Pavlat, and Drew Pavlat. Don is further survived by 30 great-grandchildren, sisters-in-law Joyce Basten, Darlene Adamson; and brother-in-law David (Tammy) Depas; as well as nieces and nephews.
Don was preceded in death by his parents Emil and Anna Pavlat, two great-grandchildren Isaac and Caleb Strey, brother and sister-in-law Russell and Veronica Pavlat, nephew John Pavlat, brothers-in-law Lyle Basten, Warren Adamson, sister-in-law Karen DePas, and father and mother-in-law Norman and Alice DePas.
Visitation will be held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 510 Church Ave. Casco 54205, on Tuesday April 1, 2014 from 3 to 8 p.m. The Casco Lions service will be at 6:15 p.m., the Veteran's service will take place at 7:00 p.m. with the prayer service to follow at 7:45 p.m. with Deacon Bob Miller officiating. Visitation will continue on Wednesday morning at Wiesner & Massart Funeral Home, 107 Wiesner Ave. Casco 54205 from 9 to 10 a.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Casco, with Fr. Milton Suess officiating. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the Wisconsin Lions Camp at Rosholt or the Old Glory Honor Flight. Online condolence messages may be shared here .
