Donald Henry Eugene Gasch, age 90, of Wisconsin Rapids, WI passed away on Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at home.
Services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 26, 2022 at Wisconsin Rapids Moravian Church. Reverend Beth Rohn-Habhegger and Reverend Aden Ward will officiate. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 25, 2022 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids. Visitation will also be held beginning at 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Thursday at the church.
Born October 28, 1931 to Henry and Irene Gasch, Don spent his childhood on the Gasch family farm in Seneca Corners. He was the oldest of 12 children. He was a graduate of the Lincoln High school class of 1950, and served in the Wisconsin National Guard from 1950 – 1959. In 1954 he married Marlene Matthews and they were blessed with 72 years of friendship, 68 years of marriage, and five children: Kathi, Cheryl, Scott, Sue, and Keith.
Don began working at Fey Publishing Company in 1950 at the age of 18 as a hand-fed platen press operator, and often quipped that Manny Fey hired him so that he would stop knocking on the door. Don was promoted to sales in 1963, became President in 1973, and in 1988 he and Marlene purchased the company from Frank Fey with the goal of maintaining its local presence in Wisconsin Rapids. The company is currently celebrating 90 years in business, 72 of which under Don’s tenure. Under his leadership the company has grown to serve a wide-ranging base of customers in the United States and Canada, and is known across the industry as a leading provider of complex and specialty print projects. He oversaw expansion of the original plant on High Street, construction of a 104,000 square foot warehouse and bindery facility in the Wisconsin Rapids West Side Industrial Park and, in 1999, completion of an office expansion to serve as the company’s new headquarters. Don never fully retired, and continued to visit the office and call in to meetings until just weeks prior to his passing. He was particularly proud of the 4 times in recent years that the company received Best of Show awards for the finest projects in commercial print across Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana. Don placed a high importance on customer relationships and ensured that each interaction with customers was professional, helpful, and most importantly, friendly. He served on the board of directors for WoodTrust, Solarus, the Heart of Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce, the Moravian Church Board of Elders, and the Provincial Publication Commission, for many years.
Don was an avid golfer and 58 year member of Bullseye Golf Club, having served as club president in the 1970s and early 1990s. He was known to leave Thursday morning meetings at the Fey office a bit early, saying with a wink “I’ve got an appointment to get to at the country club.” He thoroughly enjoyed fly fishing and tying, and fondly recalled many years of client fishing trips to Canada with Frank Fey and others. He also enjoyed jazz and Dixieland music, and shared stories of his time playing string bass with several dance bands around the area in the 1950s.
For the Christmas of 2020, Don crafted each grandchild a handmade wooden clock.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Marlene; 5 children, Kathi (Pat) Pagel of Wisconsin Rapids, Cheryl (Al) Marth of Wisconsin Rapids, Scott (Cindy) Gasch of Port Edwards, Sue (Rick) Bina of Antigo, and Keith Gasch (Maria Wolfe) of Rudolph; 8 grandchildren, Crystal Pagel, Brian (Kari) Pagel, Kristopher (Shane Burkart) Gasch, Nick (Kaci) Marth, Joe (Theresa) Gasch, Brad (Dayna) Bina, Brittany (Derek) Lang, Ben Gasch, Annalee (Anthony) Monahos, and Mike Gasch; 18 great-grandchildren; 8 siblings, Jerrie Gasch, Dick (Ginger) Gasch, Pat (Dan) Wojtczak, Lee Staples, Bruce (Starr) Gasch, Nancy Ubinger, Lois (Leonard) Thorstenson, Janice (Reed) Andrew; one sister in law, Brenda Gasch; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers Kenny, Darwin, and Larry; two sisters in law, Martha Gasch and Jane Gasch; and two brothers in law, James Staples and Kenneth Ubinger.
Sympathy cards and remembrances may be directed to the Gasch residence at 1310 Grove Avenue, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494.
A memorial will be designated at a later date.
The family would like to thank Aspirus Home Care Hospice, especially Jason and Leighann, for the exceptional care Don received.
To send sympathy gifts to the family or plant a tree in memory of Donald H. Gasch, please visit our tribute store.
Published by Herman-Taylor Funeral Home – Wisconsin Rapids on May 19, 2022.
Credit: Source link
