Donald M. Piette

Donald Piette passed away peacefully on July 24 at Atrium Post Acute Care of Kewaunee where he was a resident the last two years.

Don was born on June 30, 1928 to Henry and Ruby (Seeman) Piette.  He attended Holy Rosary School and graduated from Kewaunee High School in 1946.  Don enlisted in the army and was stationed in Japan.  Upon his return he was employed at Leyse Aluminum and later Kewaunee Engineering.

Shortly after his 21st birthday, he and Helen Kepl eloped to Dubuque, Iowa, where they were married on July 18, 1949.  Because Helen was 15 years older, many friends wondered if it would last–it did, for 64 years  until Helen’s death at 100 in 2013.  Theirs was a very special story as they were both always to be found in the middle of whatever was going on and they made it fun.   Don was a great story teller and some of the stories could even be repeated.  They  enjoyed league bowling, both left handed, fishing and whatever else was happening.  They were very proud of having been at the Packers Ice Bowl in 1967.

When Helen retired in 1974, Don also retired and they enjoyed 38 years of retirement.  Don spent a lot of time fishing on the pier, making friends and sharing his knowledge.

Don was a proud to be a member of the VFW and American Legion.

Don is survived by his sister-in-law, Lillian Piette, nephew, David Piette, and Helen’s daughter, Virginia Kostka and her family; sons Charles Kostka and Michael (Susan) Kostka, grandchildren, Kevin Kostka, John Maier, Pamela (Joel) Campbell, Nicole (Bradley) Kussman and Michelle (Noah) Haban , and great-grandchildren, Angelica Damp, Austin, Carly and Connor Campbell, Ashlynn and Rhett Kussman and Filomena Haban.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen, parents, Heinie and Ruby Piette, brother, Darrell, nephew’s daughter, Michelle, and Helen’s son-in-law, Robert Kostka and granddaughter, Jane (Kostka) Maier.

We want to thank the staff at Atrium Care for the special care they gave Donnie the last two years, and Unity Hospice for his final care and the American Legion for the Memorial to his Military Service and especially thank you to the lifetime of friends and fishermen who gave him a great life.

A Memorial to Don’s life will be held on Saturday, August 4 at Buchanan Funeral Home from 9:30 to 11:30 am. This will be followed by enurnment at Riverview Cemetery with full military rites..