Donald Clarence "Don" Kircher

Donald "Don" Kircher, 93, passed away peacefully on March 26, 2025, after a long and fulfilling life. Don was born on February 17, 1932, in Barton, WI to John Vincent and Laura (Hardt) Kircher. Don was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and cherished friend to many.
Don met Joyce (Dricken) Kircher in high school. They married in 1954 and celebrated 71 years together. He graduated from West Bend High School and joined the Army Reserve in 1949. He served in the Navy during the Korean War as an aviation mechanic from 1951-1954, where he worked on WW2 planes, F6F, and AJ fighter planes. After his military service, he attended college at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, where he graduated in 1959.
Don was a life-long learner with a passion for geography and he shared this passion with the community. Don taught science and environmental conservation at Laona High School starting in 1959 and was essential in revitalizing the Laona School Forest in the 1970s and 80s. He retired from teaching in 1993 after 34 years. He also worked at the Camp Five Museum Foundation for over 45 years.
Although Don has moved on, he will live in our hearts forever. Don is survived by his wife, Joyce, their children Steve (Mary) Kircher, Amy (Mike) Lemerande, Dave (Kimberly) Kircher, and Melissa Kircher, their grandchildren Josh Kircher (Kayla), Stefanie (Ben) Wolfe, Adam (Angel) Lemerande, Craig (Taylor) Kircher, Candyce (Corey) Ertl, Brock (Emily) Kircher, and Alicia Lemerande (Kevin), and great-grandchildren Deegan, Carson, Drake, Conlan, Myles, Kaleb, Addison, Clara, Cash, Kinley, Millie, Adeline, Harlow, Caden, Paxton, Aspen, and Henry.
A celebration of Don's life will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2025. Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at St. Leonard's Catholic Church in Laona, followed by Memorial Mass from 12:00-1:00 PM led by Father Anil Polumari. All are welcome to join a post-mass celebration of Don's life at Kippy's (4863 Elm St, Laona), beginning at 3:00 PM, where family and friends will gather in Don's memory.
In lieu of flowers, the family deeply appreciates your support during this time and asks that you share your memories of Don during his celebration of life and that donations be made to the Laona School Forest Foundation at Laona State Bank (5216 Forest Ave, Laona), to continue the growth and preservation that Don supported throughout his life.