Donn Kernan, 82, of Waterford, died peacefully February 25, 2022, with family at his side following a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was born Jan. 12, 1940, in Aurora, to Thomas and Marion Kernan. Donn and his wife Kimberly Drager were married on Dec. 23, 1961.
Donn valued his family and childhood memories from Aurora and created many more memories while engaged with family and friends during his adult life in and around Tichigan. Family could always count on him providing support and encouragement. His grateful children and grandchildren often benefitted from his energy, interest, efforts, and resources in times of need. He was quick to invest in his children and grandchildren’s lives.
While family was always a top priority, Donn and Kim maintained vibrant relationships with friends, yielding countless hours of laughs and stories throughout the years. Encounters with Donn, whether family, friend, or stranger, were frequently initiated with a quick quip or comment eliciting laughter from all. His level of enjoyment from social encounters were second to none, spare his beloved son Jason who usually accompanied Donn.
Perhaps his greatest recreational passion was grouse hunting (always with family or friends), amongst the brush beating coulees of central Wisconsin or across countless poplar and alder stands of northern Wisconsin. He was also a great fan of various sports, whether spectating or participating. He was known to be a rather aggressive supporting spectator for his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events, and he himself continued to run, bike, and golf well into his 70s. He also enjoyed many volunteering hours through coaching youth softball and baseball teams, as School Board member, Special Olympics, and was an active member of the Tichigan Lions Club since 1969.
Donn is survived by his children, Kerry (Jim) Malczewski of Oshkosh, Shawn Aker of Bristol, and Jason Kernan of Kansasville; grandchildren, Jessica (Patty) Selligmiller, Jamie (Beth) Kernan, Katie (Craig) Herrell, Matthew (Breanna) Malczewski, Ben Aker, Rachel Aker, Adam Aker, Seth Aker, Adriana Malczewski, and Emma Malczewski; and great-grandchildren, Jordan, Molly, Sadie, Thomas, Penny, Connor, Nina, and Rose.
Donn was preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Marion Kernan; wife, Kim Kernan; and brothers, Keith and Tom Kernan.
A celebration of life will be held March 27, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Tichigan Lions Civic Center, 6710 Big Bend Rd., Waterford.
Mueller Funeral Home-Winneconne is assisting the family. For online condolences, visit www.muellerfh.net.
-
-
-
-
-