Donald Edward Kehoe

Service Details

Out of respect to the family, friends and community during the COVID pandemic, a Memorial Service is not planned at this time.

Memorial Suggestions

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Appalachia Service Project, Feeding America SE WI Chapter, Halo Homeless Shelter of Racine, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Aurora Hospice or a charity of their choice.

Donald Edward Kehoe, age 73, transitioned to a heavenly life, at home in Mt. Pleasant, WI on July 31, 2020 with his loving family at his side. Don was the son of Donald Francis and Catherine Kehoe of Marinette, WI who preceded him in death.  He was the high school sweetheart and loving husband of Mary Ann (Sibilsky). The couple had been together for over 55 years.  Don graduated from Marinette Catholic Central High School in 1965.   He was the proud and loving father of Jennifer Oliva (Tony) of Caledonia, WI, and Nathan Kehoe (Christina) of Salem, WI.  In addition to three very special granddaughters, Alyeska, Arianna, and Amaiya of Salem, WI, he is also survived by three loving brothers, Gordie (Darlyn) and John (Nan) of Marinette WI; Jeff (Laurie) of Loveland, CO, and a sister, Mary Grace Bybee (Craig) of Hyrum, UT. He is also survived by a sister-in-law Margaret Urpin (Sibilsky) of Simi Valley, CA, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was the attentive pet dad of kitties, Linus and Finn, who have been constant companions at his side through this difficult time.

Don received his undergraduate degree in Mathematics from UW-Madison in 1970 and completed a master’s degree in mathematics from UW-Milwaukee. He began his career as a middle school math teacher in the Portage Public Schools and then transitioned to a career in IT with Northwestern Mutual and Kimberly Clark before becoming a national IT consultant. During his retirement, Don tutored neighborhood children in math.  He was an avid biker and competed in triathlons.  He and Mary Ann enjoyed hiking and many other outdoor sports. Don also spent time bird watching and wood carving, as well as just being a helping hand to anyone who needed it. Don was a life-long learner, a published poet and a constant strength for Mary Ann and his family. We will forever miss his laugh.

The family would especially like to thank the team at Aurora Hospice, Dr. Scott Field, Dr. Leonardo Montemurro, Chaplain Greg Price, and many neighbors and friends for their excellent care and friendship.

Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Out of respect to the family, friends and community during the COVID pandemic, a Memorial Service is not planned at this time. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Appalachia Service Project, Feeding America SE WI Chapter, Halo Homeless Shelter of Racine, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Aurora Hospice or a charity of their choice.

May the Good Lord Bless and keep you until we meet again.

 

Tribute to Don Kehoe

On Friday, July 31st at 10:10 pm the world lost an amazing man, a loving husband and an incredible father. Donald Edward Kehoe passed peacefully at home surrounded by the love of his family.

Don was a really special person who touched so many lives right until the very end. He was always there for anyone in need but especially for his family.  He lived for his wife, kids and grand kids.

We have so many amazing memories. Don was a loving husband and father who always took interest in his wife and kids and what they were doing. There was never a single concert, sporting event, or musical he didn’t attend and sometimes more than once.  He was the chaperone and coach all the kids loved.  The dad taking pictures for all the parents.  The Kehoe home was THE place to be because everyone was always welcome. As a friend of his son recently told him, after he started getting really sick, “You were Black Lives Matter” before it even existed.

Don was so kind and had an incredible passion for life. His smile and his laugh lit up a room, yet he was really an introvert at heart.  He had a brilliant mind and was a lifelong learner who threw himself whole heartedly into everything he did…painting, wood carving, poetry, reading, biking, birding and just hiking endlessly through the woods.  He never did anything halfway.  Don was one of those rare individuals who was extremely creative yet analytical, holding a master’s degree in mathematics, and many certifications in IT but also having published poetry.

He loved his family endlessly including his wife (Mary Ann), who was his high school sweetheart, his children, Jennifer (Tony) and Nathan (Christina), three beautiful granddaughters (Alyeska, Arianna and Amaiya), his siblings, Gordie (Dar), John (Nan), Jeff (Laurie), Mary Grace (Craig), his many nieces, nephews and his kitties (Peanut, Linus and Finn) grand kitties (Bandit and Salem) and grand doggies (Bella, Sierra, Husker, Madison and Lincoln), whom he was always excited to walk. When Tony (Oliva) and Christina (Fouke) became part of the family through marriage, he loved them as his own.

Don gave us many special gifts but we cherish his amazing smile, wonderful laugh, his incredible love for reading, adventure, nature, the forest and thunderstorms.

So as we write this, in a room he loved, thunder booms, the rain falls as the tears just keep coming. A bright light has left the world and all the colors seem faded.  But that is not what you would wish for us.  Nothing mattered more to you than our happiness so we will do our best to honor your legacy by living life to the fullest and sending love into the world.

We love you and miss you so much! “May the good lord bless and keep you til we meet again.”