Donald G. Brunner's Obituary
Donald George Brunner, 81, of Fort Myers, Florida passed away September 8, 2007 at Shell Point Retirement Community in Fort Myers. Don was a former resident of Weyauwega, WI and Waupaca, WI. Don was born in Manitowoc, WI on April 24, 1926, the son of the late George and Edna (Kaufman) Brunner. Don graduated from Lincoln High School in Manitowoc. After high school he entered the Armed forces. Don graduated from Officer Candidate School in Fort Benning, Georgia. He served as a Lieutenant during World War II and served after the war in the 2753 Engineering Battalion in North Africa. Don graduated from Marquette University in 1951 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. Don was employed at Brillion Iron Works from 1951-1955. He left Brillion Iron Works in 1955 to begin work at a new company named the Waupaca Foundry. Don began as the Plant Manager of Operations of the Waupaca Foundry in 1955. Through his perseverance, leadership, and vision the company grew from 13 employees in an old garage to employees numbering over 3600 in six plants. Don was the President and CEO of the Waupaca Foundry from 1972 until his retirement in 1997. Don was an active member and contributor to the Cast Metals Federation, the Foundry Education Foundation(FEF) and the American Foundry Association(AFS). He served as President of the North East Chapter of AFS and as a member of AFS Board of Directors. Upon his retirement from Waupaca Foundry, a scholarship was established in his name which is awarded annually to a student member of FEF whose entering his or her senior year in college. In September of 1986, Don was presented with the Iron Casting Society's highest honor, The Gold Metal. In 1993, he received the Gold Metal Award from AFS, which now regarded as the industry's most prestigious honor. In 1983 the Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce named Don as the Person of the Year, recognizing his enthusiasm and loyalty to the community. Don shared his passion of flying with family and friends. Don obtained pilot's licenses with land and sea rating, multi-engine rating, and instrument rating. During his flying years, Don built five airplanes. He was a supporter and promoter of the Waupaca Airport, which was named Brunner Field in his honor. Don was responsible for the development of the Club Hangar at Central County Airport in Ogdensburg which he named 68C. Don was a lifetime member of EAA.
Don believed in giving back to the community: he did so very quietly, and in many ways. Don was a staunch supporter of education and he initiated the Waupaca Foundry College scholarship program. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and founder of the Trinity Lutheran Church Endowment Fund. He is survived by Wife: Margaret E. Brunner; Shell Point, Ft Myers, Florida. Don was previously married to the former Florence Gosz and their children are: Susan (William) Stark, Madison; Steven (Debra) Brunner, Waupaca; Thomas (Lynn) Brunner, Wausau; Mary Jo Brunner, Manitowoc; Patrice (Russell) Lowe, Iron Mountain, MI. Don also had nine grandchildren: Sarah Stark, Christina Stark, Charles Stark, Nicholas Brunner, Emily Rose Brunner, Samuel Lowe, Jane Lowe, Laura Brunner, Allison Brunner, and his step grandchild Kayla Krigbaum, and his step great grandchild, Kiah Krigbaum.
Don was preceded in death by a step daughter: Jacqueline Krigbaum (Earl) Visitation will be held at the Holly Funeral Home in Waupaca on Thursday Sept. 13 from 4 to 8 P.M. Funeral Service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waupaca on Friday, Sept. 14 at 11 AM. The Reverend Dr. Charles Tews will officiate. The family will have a private service for the entombment at Calvary Mausoleum in Manitowoc. In lieu of flowers the family would like the memorials to be made to the Foundry Education Foundation for the Donald Brunner Scholarship, the National Parkinson Foundation, or Trinity Lutheran Church Endowment Fund.
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