Obituary for Donald R. Wavra

He was married to his wife Carolyn of 64 years on January 9,1960.

Don was born to Lawrence and Virgil Wavra on June 20, 1938. He attended Cashton Elementary and Cashton High School.

He then continued his education at Western Technical College and graduated in the printing industry.

Don and Carolyn moved to Des Planes, Illinois where he worked for Nelsen Printing company.

In 1961 he was drafted to the United States Army where he served until he injured his back and was discharged.

They set up roots a few years later in Wheeling, Illinois where their daughter Kim and son Scott were born.

He became the circulation manager of the Daily Herald where he worked until they moved back to La Crosse in 1984.

Don continued in the newspaper business working for the Diocese of La Crosse and then bought Bauer Printing where he eventually retired from.

His spare time was spent with his beloved family and his love of all sports. He was either coaching or being the biggest fan in the bleachers.

His true character showed when he didn’t miss a game, statistic, or a swim meet of any of his three grandchildren.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Caroline (Carolyn); his daughter, Kim (Jim) Launer of De Kalb Illinois; son, Scott Wavra (Tricia) of La Crosse Wis.; his pride and joy, his three grandchildren, Emily Launer, Kate and Jack Wavra.

Surviving him also are his four sisters-in-law, Joyce Dunnum, Betty Schmitz, Melissa Schmitz and Darlene Schmitz; three brothers-in-law, Dennis Euers (Glenda), Bob Gilbeck (Jane) and Pete Schmitz.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Virgil Wavra; his sister, Darlene Euers (Wavra);father-in-law and mother-in-law, Hubert and Loretta Schmitz; four sisters-in-law, Geri Gilbeck, Mary L Schmitz, Jenny Muehlenkamp, and Mary Ann Schmitz; and five brothers-in-law, Jim Dunnum, Mike Schmitz, Glenn Muehlenkamp, Gallis Schmitz, and Jim Schmitz.

Words cannot express how grateful we are this past year for your support, encouraging thoughts and all your prayers.

May God Bless you.

The Wavra and Launer Families.

Mass services will be held at Mary, Mother of the Church Parish, 2006 Weston Street, La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601, on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024. Visitation from 9:30 am to 11:00 am with a Mass at 11:00 am and lunch immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to:

The Cashton Scholarship Foundation, Inc

Don Wavra and Darlene (Wavra) Euers Memorial Scholarship Attn: Nancy - secretary

PO Box 129

Cashton, Wi 54619

or

Mary Mother of the Church

2006 Weston St

La Crosse, Wi 54601

A live stream can be found the day of the service at https://www.youtube.com/@MMOC_LaCrosse/streams or by going to mmoclacrosse.org and going to the YouTube link.