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Donald Graser Obituary
May 17, 1931 - September 30, 2025
Donald William Graser, age 94, born in Kenosha, Wis.; where he lived for 20 years passed away on September 30, 2025. He was a patient of The Pines Nursing Home in Clintonville, Wis.
Donald was born to Mark J. and Josephine Graser on May 17, 1931. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Bobby (Wisconsin); and sister, Jean (Minnesota). He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1954 with a bachelor's degree in economics. He worked for 37 years for Simmons Company starting in Kenosha, as a sales trainee and moving to Columbus, Ohio, working as a cost accountant. In 1958, in Kansas City he met Eleonore H. Gebhardt. Tony Saliture was the office manager. Eleonore worked for Roger Kraus. They married on June 20, 1959, in Kenosha, Wis., and moved to Highland, Ind. They would have been married 65 years. Their son, Mark L. was born on April 6, 1964, then their son Michael A. on October 18, 1968.
The family moved to Roswell, Ga., in 1976, as Donald was relocated with Simmons Company. They lived there until 1980, when they relocated to Janesville, Wis. In 1992, they built their house and moved in 1993; retiring to Keshena, Wis., on Legend Lake. Donald was an active parishioner of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shawano, Wis., and enjoyed his office meetings with friends at McDonald's in Shawano.
Donald was surpassed in death by his wife, Eleonore, (April 11, 2025). He is survived by his sons, Mark L. and Michael A.; granddaughter, Karlene "KJ" (Mark's) Graser of Madison; and grandson, Christopher M. (Lauren) Metzler of Janesville.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at Swedberg Funeral Home in Shawano with Fr. Edward Looney officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday at the funeral home from 9:30 a.m. to the time of the service. Entombment will be held at All Saints Cemetery, 3300 Springbrook Road, Pleasant Prairie, Wis.
Swedberg Funeral
518 W. 5th Street ~ Shawano, WI 54166
715-526-2631
Memories and Condolences
for Donald Graser
2 Entries
Julie Ruiz
December 4, 2025
I worked with Don in the office at Simmons Company in Janesville, WI. I´m one who believes in communication with fellow employees, and he came out of his office and told us that we were talking too much. After a few minutes, I went into his office and explained that we are here eight hours a day away from family, and need to communicate with fellow employees as if we were a family. He said, " I like you!
We were friends from that day on. When he and his wife, Ellen moved to northern Wisconsin and I had moved to South Dakota, we still remained friends and I came back to visit them.
Wonderful memories.
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Julie Ruiz
October 23, 2025
I usually call Don and Ellen each year in October, and am so sad to find out that they both have passed. I worked at Simmons Company with them, and always considered them dear friends. I visited them a three years ago in Shawno. Loved them both!
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