Donald John Friday's Obituary
Donald John Friday died on Wednesday, April 5, 2023. Don was born on April 2, 1939, to James and Rosalie Friday in Hartford, Wisconsin.
Don grew up in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. After graduating from Oconomowoc High School, he was an apprentice machinist. He started his first business in 1963 by renting a blacksmith shop in Nashotah, Wisconsin. In the meantime, he met and married Mary E. Tice and had two children, Joseph in 1961 and Kristine in 1963.
In September 1963, the family relocated to Waupaca, and Don started Friday Welding selling lawn and garden equipment, mini-bikes, go-karts, chainsaws, outboard motors, snowmobiles, and did welding repairs for the next 23 years. He also ran a slot car track on Waupaca's Main Street, put together a stock car and raced in Wisconsin Rapids and Kaukauna tracks, played pool for five different teams and mostly had a good time doing it.
Don is survived by his children: Joseph (Diane) Friday, Kristine Smith, and Eric Larsen, his grandchildren: Hannah (Jamison) Gagnon, Jacob (Danielle) Smith, and Paul (Jacqueline Denny) Friday, great-grandchildren: Leo Gagnon and Caden Friday, and four brothers-in-law, five sisters-in-law, and 17 nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother (James, Jr.), two brothers-in-law (Robert Tice and Tom Cullen), two sisters-in-law (Charmaigne Tice and Joan Tice), and his mother-in-law and father-in-law (Clarence and Thelma Tice).
A private family service will be held at a later date per Don's wishes. The family would like to thank the staff of Azura Memory and Generations Hospice in Oshkosh for their kindness in caring for Don the last two years. The Holly Funeral Home of Waupaca is assisting the family with arrangements.
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