Don Winson Harmeling

Don Winson Harmeling, 82, of Waterford, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully in his home, with his loving wife by his side, on September 30, 2024.
Don was born to parents Henry and Evelyn (Graven) Harmeling on March 7, 1942 in Cedar Grove, Wisconsin. He was the youngest of four children. After graduating from Cedar Grove High School, he attended college at Central College in Iowa, where he played basketball and baseball while earning a degree in education. In his early years of teaching in DeSoto and Horicon, he met the love of his life, Kathleen (Thelen) Harmeling. They wed on December 24,1965, and built a life in Waterford with their sons. Don taught science and coached football, basketball, baseball, and golf at Waterford Union High School for 33 years before retiring in 1998.
Don's love for baseball continued throughout his life. He played baseball after college for several teams but mostly Lebanon. He was inducted into the Rock River League Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999. He was also dedicated to baseball in the Waterford community, where he served on the Board of Directors for Waterford Youth Baseball Association for many years. He was honored to have a baseball field named after him at Whitford Park. He spent many years watching his sons and grandsons play.
In his retired years, you could find Don golfing, mowing lawns at Rivermoor Golf Course, playing cards with friends, and watching his grandchildren play sports. The legacy he leaves behind is one of great generosity and kindness where he touched the lives of many as a teacher, coach, role model, friend, and loving husband, father and grandfather. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.
Don is survived by his wife, Kathy; sons, Michael Lee Harmeling, Eric William Harmeling, and Christopher Jon (Rachel nee: Oncken) Harmeling; sister, Joan (Earl) Herring; and grandchildren, Riley Denise Harmeling, Callan Christopher Harmeling, Cade Jonathan Harmeling, and Remy Grey Harmeling. He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Benjamin Harmeling and Derwin "Dick" Harmeling; sister, Miriam "Mary" Kappers; and his infant son, Brian Harmeling.
A celebration of Don's life will take place on Friday October 4th, 2024, at Community Church Waterford (455 S. Jefferson Street, Waterford, WI 53185). An open house visitation will be held from 2:00pm to 5:00pm, concluding with a 5:00pm memorial service and dinner afterwards.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the family are greatly appreciated. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Aurora at Home Hospice team, especially Elizabeth "Beth" Derks and Allyson Hanson.
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