Donald E. Krajnik

On March 26, 2023 Donald Edward Krajnik passed away peacefully at 90 years old, surrounded by his loving family. He was a resident of St. Mary's Nursing Home (Felician Village) in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

Donald was born on January 18, 1933, in Green Bay to Edward and Clara (née Kozlovsky) Krajnik. He lived in Mishicot for his entire life and was educated at the Mishicot grade school and high school. He spent a year at the Manitowoc Extension, where he studied engineering. In 1952, he joined the US Navy, and served for four years. He was based primarily in Monterey, California, and he repaired airplane engines on the aircraft carrier USS Shangri-La. He met the love of his life, Elsie Dollar, at his cousin’s wedding, and they were married May 26, 1954, while he was on leave. They resided in Mishicot for the next 66 years, during which time he devoted himself to his family, his community, and his church. He worked at Krajnik Garage, which was started in 1933 by his father. It became a Chevrolet dealership later on, and he took over the business from his father in the 1960s. He continued to work at the dealership until his retirement.

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Donald was a true pillar of the community. In addition to being a business owner, he became a volunteer firefighter in 1961 and continued to serve until 1988. Over the years, he used his welding skills to transform two milk trucks into water tenders for the fire department. He was instrumental in starting the volunteer Mishicot Ambulance Service and was a volunteer ambulance driver until 1988. He was elected village president and served in that roll from 1972 to 1978. He was a member of the Lions Club and the Jaycees, both service organizations, where he dedicated countless hours to volunteering. Donald delivered Meals on Wheels for many years after he retired. He was an active parishioner at Holy Cross Catholic Church, where he was an usher and alter server. He was instrumental in starting the First Friday Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and led it for 20 years.

Of all his accomplishments, he was most proud of his 12 children, 45 grandchildren, and 55 great-grandchildren. His biggest hobby was reading and sharing his books with his children and grandchildren. He immensely enjoyed family gatherings and 30 years of family campout. He had a quick wit and a great sense of humor, which he shared often—especially by putting new members of the family on the spot!

Donald is survived by his sister, Elizabeth (née Krajnik) Voelker; and his children:

Katherine (Lloyd ) Butler and their children: Sean, Nathan, Aaron, Adriana, Melinda, Stephanie, Gabriel, Abraham, Daniel, Abigail, and April;

Paul (Rosemary) Krajnik and their children: Matthew, Andrew, Adam, David, Kevin, and Jason;

Barbara (Gregory) Reistad and their children: Nicholas, Rebecca, and Michelle;

Ann (Terry) Wallander and their children: Jill, Zachary, and Christianna;

Jeffrey Krajnik and his sons: Jacob and Jeremiah;

Thomas (Myrna) Krajnik and their children: Samuel, Kenneth, and Elizabeth;

Eileen (Daniel) Gunderson and their daughter, Arielle;

Theresa (David) Nadolski and their children: Erica, Grace, and Basil;

Ronald (Diana) Krajnik and their children: Azrianna, Isabella, Sarah, Emma, and Noah;

Sarah (Jeffery Nelson) Krajnk and their children: Ariana and Emily;

Patrick (Angela) Krajnik and their children: Christopher, Maxwell, Alyssa, and Justin; and Brian Krajnik.

He is further survived by his sisters-in-law, Rita Lacenski, Leona Beining, Joan (Dick) Mauer, and brother-in-law, Pat Henning.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife Elsie; his parents, Edward and Clara Krajnik;  his brother Paul; his brother in-law Robert Voelker; and his grandchildren, Aubrae Gunderson and Christopher Reistad.

Viewings will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 423 S. Main Street, Mishicot, Wisconsin, on Thursday, March 30, 2023, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., and on Friday, March 31, 2023, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 31, 2023, at Holy Cross Catholic Church at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery in Mishicot. Military graveside rites will be accorded by members of the VFW Post #7753 of Mishicot.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.dejamartin.com .

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital at: https://www.stjude.org/donate/1t-gift.html .

Lambert-Eckert Funeral Home of Mishicot is assisting the Krajnik family with funeral arrangements.

Donald’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the entire staff at Felician Village for the wonderful care and compassion they gave to our father and grandfather and for all the kindness they extended to our family. *A special thank you to Holly and Michelle from The Court at Felician Village for their devoted, loving care of our dad. We would also like to thank Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice workers and the “No One Dies Alone” volunteers who helped make our dad’s transition comfortable and dignified.