Donald Henry Beebe, age 95, died on Nov. 27, 2022. He was born on Oct. 20, 1927, to Hector and Leila (Boyer) Beebe in Hampton, Minn. He was one of 11 siblings.
Don was a squad leader in the Army in Korea, where he was awarded a Purple Heart. He married Lois (Giebler) in 1955 and they raised their family in Ellsworth, Wis. where most people remember him as “Donny the Milkman.”
Don was a loving husband, Dad, Grandpa and friend who could talk your ear off and had the best stories. He worked hard and loved baking his famous date cookies and other goodies, gardening, playing the piano, cheering for the Packers and spending time with family. He was passionate about recycling and taking care of the earth. Don had an active interest in current events, read several newspapers daily and frequently voiced his opinions in letters to the editor.
He will be greatly missed by his children: Krystal (Steve) Brandes, Teri (Bob) Panzer, Julie (Jon) Raethke, Jane (Mike K) Edgell and Jeremy (Alyssa) Beebe; nine grandchildren: Eric Brandes (Carrie), Betsy (John Bohnett), Brett Panzer, Cody (Jordan), Casey, and Carson Raethke, Claire (Rueegy Lopez), Jack (Carmen F) Edgell, and Ezra Beebe; five great grandsons: Eamonn, Benjamin, Leandro, Theodore and Lincoln; and many other relatives and friends.
Special thanks to Randy Husfloen and Jim Foley for helping Don remain independent in his own home until he died.
A Memorial Service was held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, at O’Connell Family Funeral Home, 130 N Grant St, Ellsworth, WI, followed by Military Honors. A Celebration of Life continued at the funeral home until 4 p.m.
Funeral services entrusted to O’Connell Family Funeral Homes of Ellsworth, WI.
