Donald B. "Don" Idzik

1929 - 2015

Donald B. "Don" Idzik

Fond du lac, WI

Donald B. "Don" Idzik, 86, of Fond du Lac, Wis. and Tequesta, Fla., passed away peacefully on Friday, November 27, 2015 at Grancare Nursing Center in Fond du Lac, with family at his side. Don was born on July 25, 1929, in Chicago, Ill. He was the son of Michael and Marya (Zulawa) Idzik, formerly from the Ukraine. Don moved to Krakow, Wis., in 1940 with his parents, one brother and two sisters. Don graduated from Pulaski High School. He was a proud graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1953 with a B.S. in Economics. On July 25, 1953, Don married Joan Fitz in Milwaukee, Wis. In July of this year, they celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary.

From 1954-1957, Don worked at the Associated Hospital Service of Wisconsin. From 1958-1962, he was employed with the State Medical Society. In 1963, along with his wife, Joan, Don built Grancare Nursing Center and GranPark Medical/Dental Center in Fond du Lac. In 1965, they built the second Grancare Nursing Center in Green Bay, Wis. and later completed a professional medical center in Steamboat Springs, Colo. He was also a co-founder of Baulkham Hills Private Hospital in New South Wales, Australia. Outside of the nursing home business, he was a co-founder of the company, Yar-Craft Boats, in the state of Michigan. In 1982, he acquired Montello Care Center in Montello, Wis. During the years after 1963, Don held various positions both state and nationwide within the health care industry. He was a two-term President of the Wisconsin Association of Nursing Homes, appointed Secretary Finch (HEW) to the National Advisory Council on Nursing Home Administration, and a member of the Wisconsin Nursing Home Administrator Board of Examiners (1970-1973). He was a member of the Nursing Home Advisory Council for the State of Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Service, a member of the National Health Insurance Committee with the American Health Care Association (AHCA), President of the Great Lakes Health Congress and a former Secretary/Treasurer (later Vice-President) of Region V (AHCA). Don was Chairman of the Wisconsin Chapter of the American College of Nursing Home Administrators (fellow since 1968). Don als an assisted living facility in Arcadia, Fla. in 1999.

Don and Joan spent winters in Tequesta, beginning in 1978, moving there permanently in 2009. In September of 2015, they moved home to Fond du Lac to reside at GranPark Terrace Apartments, associated with Grancare Nursing Center.

Don enjoyed many activities…FLYING, skiing, fishing, tennis and golf. As a very young man, he took up flying and eventually owned several aircraft, "the love of his life." He was an active member of the Elks Club, BPOE Lodge #57 in Fond du Lac. He enjoyed attending and volunteering at the EAA AirVenture airshow in Oshkosh, Wis. Don was also very active with the Republican Party.

Don was the beloved husband of Joan (who continues to reside at Grancare); a cherished father to Mark of Fond du Lac and Cindy Idzik-Barber of Tequesta; an adored and cherished grandfather to Chad Barber of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., Tess Barber of Brooklyn, NY and Allie Idzik-Heifetz of Madison, Wis. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Mero; and sisters, Vera Schwartz and Jean Lowenberg.

A visitation for Don will be held Thursday, December 3, 2015 from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM at Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 N. Park Ave. in Fond du Lac. Private family interment at Rienzi Cemetery in Fond du Lac will follow the visitation. Per Don's request, a funeral service will not be held.

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the management and staff at Grancare. Special thanks to William McKenzie (owner of Grancare) and dear long-time friend of the Idzik family. It truly was a blessing that our father and grandfather could return to Grancare in Fond du Lac where all his dreams began! Miss you, BAPA.

Guestbook and tribute wall may be found by visiting www.ueckerwitt.com and/or www.facebook.com/ueckerwitt