Don Mossinger Obituary


Don A. Mossinger passed away November 6, 2017, at age 81, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, friend. He was born with his twin brother Dan on September 9, 1936 in San Leandro, the son of Daniel and Emily Mossinger. Don grew up in the Bay Area and the family spent holidays camping in the mountains. During his high school years, Don worked during the summers for the California Division of Forestry. He said he started training as a smoke-jumper but changed his mind after the first jump. He bought land near Calaveras Big Trees Park where he and his parents and brothers built a log cabin.

Don married Rosemarie Muster in 1958 at Woodleaf, and they lived in Castro Valley where their daughters Jill and Sally were born. Don had always dreamed of living in the mountains, and in 1962 moved their family to Grizzly Lodge near Clipper Mills where their son Jon was born. Don worked for Frank and Carol Dreisbach on their properties.

He was offered the job of Superintendent at Woodleaf and the family lived there for the next ten years. He became resident manager during the town's transition into a resort for teens, and reveled in the work with Young Life staff and hundreds of high school and college students. The family moved to Sharon Valley in 1978 where they were building a home, and Don worked for Plumas National Forest. From 1962 to 1979 he was involved in many business associations and community activities, including local parks, museum, churches, school, and youth projects.

After an accident in 1979, his indomitable spirit kept him moving despite great difficulties. Gardening was a life-long pleasure, and he grew Japanese maple trees, and hundreds of vintage roses started from cuts gathered at old homesteads, all to give to friends. Don's finely crafted furniture found homes with many friends and family, and are reminders of his skill and generous heart. He loved animals and never met a dog he didn't like, or a burro, or feisty cat, especially his Siamese cat King Louie. A good cup of coffee with friends was always a high point in his day with lots of stories and laughs together.

Don loved his family, wife Rosemarie; daughter Jill and husband Steve Bathauer; daughter Sally Ann Plount; and son Jon Adam Mossinger and his wife Teresa. He was Poppie to his grandchildren Autumn (Plount) and her husband Jesse Favela; Jeremy Plount and his wife Amy; Kailie (Mossinger) and her husband Mike Shoemaker, Elijah Mossinger and his wife Holly Ann; Emily Jane (Mossinger); David Bathauer, Erika Mankins, and Jake Mankins. Don's great-grandchildren are Lucy, Logan, and Chloe Favela, Charlie Rose Shoemaker, Rosalie Mossinger, and Kasen Mankins. Don had many loving nieces and nephews, cousins, and other family members. He is survived by his younger brother Karl W. Mossinger. His twin brother Daniel H. Mossinger preceded him in death.

Each of his friends and family had a place in his heart, and he loved this mountain community. Don will be missed by us all. We invite you to bring your memories and stories and come for a Celebration of his life at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 6, 2018 in Brownsville at the Ponderosa Hall, 17103 Ponderosa Way. Children of all ages welcome.

Published by Appeal Democrat on Nov. 30, 2017.
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rest in peace don.

showalter family

November 30, 2017

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Celebration of Life

2:00 p.m.

Ponderosa Hall

17103 Ponderosa Way, Brownsville, CA

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