Donald David Kohlhepp

Donald D. Kohlhepp, 82, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 6, 2018, at Dove Healthcare West’s Reflections Hospice Unit. Don was a loving husband, father, father-in-law and grandpa who will be deeply treasured and missed. He was born on June 7, 1935 at Luther Hospital, the only child of Earl and Borghild Kohlhepp. Don was a lifelong resident of Eau Claire. He spent his early years enjoying many adventures fishing from the shores of Half Moon Lake and the banks of the Chippewa River, along with playing baseball and competitive playground sports with his friends on the lower west side. Don attended and graduated from Eau Claire Senior High School with the class of 1953. It was there he met the love of his life, Vickie. Following graduation, Don attended UWEC before enlisting in the United States Navy. On September 22, 1956, he was united in marriage to Victoria Taggatz. They spent nearly 62 years together creating wonderful memories. Don retired after a 32 year career as a distribution clerk for the US Postal Service and enjoyed many years of retirement. Don was an avid sportsman who loved hunting deer and birds in the hill country south of Eleva, and fishing for walleyes, muskies and trout on Eau Claire and Sand Lakes, as well as the Brule and Red Cedar Rivers. His happiest of times were all the summers he spent at his cabin in Sawyer County, sharing traditions with his entire family. Don was preceded in death by his parents Earl and Borghild Kohlhepp, parents-in-law David and Eleonore Taggatz, and brother-in-law Vern Taggatz. He is survived by his devoted wife Vickie, son Steve of Big Sky, MT, daughter Karen (Robert) Pawlowski of Lopatcong, NJ and grandchildren Amy, Matthew and Sarah, and daughter Kris (Kurt) Lauer of Eau Claire and granddaughters Kate and Emma. He is further survived by sister-in-law Ruth Taggatz, one niece and four nephews. Don’s family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to his many dedicated and compassionate health care providers, with a special thank you to Dr. Randall Casper, Dr. Macauly Onuigbo, the Mayo Dialysis Team, the Mayo Hospice Team and the Dove Reflections Hospice Care Staff, who treated him with such kindness and dignity. Visitation for Don will take place on Monday, June 11, 2018 from 4 to 7pm at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home located at 814 First Avenue in Eau Claire. A private family service and interment at Lakeview Cemetery will be held, with Pastor Peter Bredlau of Trinity Lutheran Church officiating. The family suggests memorials to Feed My People Food Bank, 2610 Alpine Road, Eau Claire, WI 54703; Trinity Lutheran Church Children’s Bible Fund, 1314 E. Lexington Blvd., Eau Claire, WI 54701; or the Reflections Hospice Unit at Dove Healthcare West, 1405 Truax Blvd., Eau Claire, WI 54703

Service Information

Cemetery

Lakeview Cemetery
1400 Buffington Dr.
Eau Claire WI 54703

Visitation

Monday, June 11 2018
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home
814 First Ave
Eau Claire WI 54703