Donald Gaede

1928 - 2025

Donald E. Gaede, 97, of Augusta, died Saturday, March 29 at Augusta Health and Rehabilitation.

Donald, son of Herman and Sophie (Pape) Gaede was born March 21, 1928. He was raised in the Pine Hill area of Jackson County before moving to rural Fairchild, where he graduated from Fairchild High School in 1946. After high school Don drove a milk can route, operated the home farm, in addition to taking care of his mother until her passing in 1956.

Don married Sarah Flick on Oct. 11, 1958, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Augusta. The couple farmed east of Augusta in Fairchild Township until the late 1980s, when they retired from milking and built their home on the farm property. For 33 years both he and Sarah read meters for Eau Claire electric company. When not farming you could usually find Don bailing hay or cutting firewood, as he was rarely idle.

Don was baptized into the Lutheran faith and had been a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Augusta, St. Paul's Lutheran in Fairchild, Zion Lutheran in rural Augusta, and currently at Grace Lutheran in Augusta.

Over the years, Don had served on the Fairchild Town Board and Fairchild Village Cemetery Board. Don might have taken time to check out an area auction, but always found the time to participate in the annual deer hunt. Both he and Sarah were always willing to help others and never thought twice about lending a helping hand to someone in need. Unfortunately, Don suffered a debilitating stroke in 2017, and after therapy at Augusta Health and Rehabilitation he did go home, but since 2020 had been a permanent resident there.

Don is survived by his daughters, Barbara Thomley of Eau Claire, Pamela Zinn of Augusta; son, Tim (Christie) Gaede of Osseo; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

Don was also preceded in death by his parents; wife, Sarah, on Jan. 16, 2024; great-grandson, Dylan Thurman; siblings, Ralph (Evangeline) Gaede, Everette (Eleanor) Gaede, Norman (Alpha) Gaede, Doris (Milan) Sell and Arlene Piel.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 3 at noon at Grace Lutheran Church in Augusta with Pastor Jonathan Wessel officiating. Burial will be in the Fairchild Cemetery. Friends may call Thursday beginning at 10 a.m. at the church.

Online condolences can be left at andersonfhaugusta.com.