SUN PRAIRIE - Donald Eugene Stanek, age 90, passed away on All Souls Day, November 2, 2022, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin. He was born on May 25, 1932, in Hillsboro, Wisconsin, to the late Wencil and Agnes Stanek. Don served our country in the United States Navy from 1952-1954.
He married Lorraine Janousek on July 14, 1956, in Hillsboro, WI, and raised three children in Platteville, Wisconsin over 17 years, before moving to Sun Prairie, Wisconsin for 17 years, Punta Gorda, Florida for 17 years, then returning to Sun Prairie.
Don and Lorraine started out farming in Hillsboro before moving to Madison, then to Platteville to raise their family. Don worked as an insurance investigator, returning to UW-Platteville to complete his Bachelor’s Degree in Safety Engineering and begin employment with Chromology, Madison Silos division. Later he and other coworkers bought the silo division from Chromology, rebranding it as Madison Farm Structures. Don brought family and friends into the company, including his son and several nephews and was president of the company, earning recognition as an influential leader by Madison Magazine. He dissolved the company in the 90s. Don remained connected to his Hillsboro roots, buying and working several farms in the area. He enjoyed sharing life stories with people from his youth growing up on the farm and his time in the Navy. He would jump in when others needed help, from calming crying babies in church to managing the sale of a business. If he could assist, he would step in.
Don relished building happy memories with his life partner, Lorraine. They enjoyed travelling, taking cruises and trips across the United States and Europe, focusing on the Czech Republic to find homes of their ancestors and meet distant relatives. Don loved pulling his forever partner onto the dance floor and as cancer took its toll on her body, became her primary caregiver.
Don is survived by sisters-in-law Berniece, Linda (Jack) and Linda; brother-in-law Larry (Carol); daughter Stephanie (Arthur); son Steven (Kathy); daughter Sheila (Eric); granddaughters Anna (Eric) and Quinn; grandsons Fletcher and Stephen; great granddaughter Elizabeth; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife Lorraine; parents; brothers Paul, Clarence, Edward, Ernest, Arlie, and Wencil Jr.; sister Margaret; brothers-in-law Jim, Lyle, Leroy, and Reinholt; and sisters-in-law Louise, Theresa, Margaret, Norma, Celia, Lucille, and Mary.
Visitation will be from 10-11:00 AM on Saturday, November 12, 2022 at St Aloysius Church, 545 Prairie Avenue, Hillsboro, WI Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11:00 AM. Father Donald Bauer will preside. Please share your memories of Don on his tribute wall at www.cressfuneralservice.com.
Cress Funeral Service
1310 Emerald Terrace
Sun Prairie, WI 53590
608-837-9054
