Donald Joseph Musbach

Donald Joseph Musbach, 86, of rural Norwalk passed away peacefully Saturday, November 9, 2019, at his home on Ridgeville.

Don was born April 16, 1933, in Port Washington, Wis., to Edger and Mabel (Damerow) Musbach. On Oct. 9, 1954, he was united in marriage to Jane F. Weiland at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Port Washington. Don raised his family in Grafton, Wis. He worked at Hembel Implement and at his brother Roger’s gas station as a mechanic. He played a role in local politics, serving on the town board for 10 years. On weekends, he would pack up the family and his steam engines that he had built, and they would go to Illinois for steam engine shows. He enjoyed taking his family camping. When he wasn’t working on engines, he enjoyed being part of the Grafton dart league.

Don spent a lot of years driving north to go hunting, and that is when he found the farm on Summit Ridge. He moved his family here in 1976. Don worked at Northern Engraving for 29 years in the maintenance department.

When he was 14 years old, he built his first tractor. His farm on Summit Ridge was the home of many of his later built engines and machines. His daughter, Mindy, was his go-to for naming the tractors and cows; this was something he enjoyed. He was an expert mechanic who could fix just about anything, and he loved doing it.

When he lived on Summit Ridge, he began to get involved in local politics and was elected to the Ridgeville Town Board for 10 years. Don was a kind, gentle and caring man. He loved the land around him, his cows and tractors, and spending time sitting by his stove in his shop with his dog Max by his side. He enjoyed having his grandson Tyler by his side, cutting wood and helping with chores. Don cherished his family and time spent with all of them.

Don is survived by his children, Michael Musbach, Melody (Harold) Cleveland, Monica (Greg) Fortun, Marcy (Sandy) Musbach, and Mindy (Pete) Bullen; three grandchildren, Ryan Bullen, Tyler Fortun, and Jess (Thomas) Wan; one great-granddaughter, Claire Flock; a sister, Mary Ann Frerich; a brother, Richard (Evonne) Musbach; a sister-in-law, Jackie Musbach; a special friend, Ethel Greene; a good friend, Jim Erdman; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and his beloved dog Max.

Don was preceded in death by his wife, Jane; his parents, Edger and Mabel; his grandparents, Joe and Johanna Musbach and Otto and Lillian Damrow; and a brother, Roger Musbach.

A private family funeral and burial will be Thursday, Nov. 14, at Don’s treasured farm.

His family would like to invite family and friends to a celebration of Don’s life from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, at the Club Oasis Supper Club, 11345 Hwy. 21, Sparta.

Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com. The Torkelson Page-Smith Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Comments are closed.

  • Kenneth R. McDaniel

    March 16th, 2024
    by

    Kenneth R. McDaniel, 88, of Tomah passed away Friday, March 15, 2024, at the Morrow Memorial Home, Sparta. 


    Sandra Ann Collins

    March 15th, 2024
    by

    Sandra Ann Collins, 77, an incredibly loving mother, mother in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend, passed away on March 13, 2024, peacefully at her home. 


    Alan Burgess Willis

    March 15th, 2024
    by

    Alan Burgess Willis, 84, of Westby, Wis., passed away Thursday, March 14, 2024.  Alan was born Sept. 13, 1939, to Alfred “Fred” and Florence (Lamb) Willis in Whitestown, Vernon County, Wis.


    Linda Lou Zimmerman

    March 15th, 2024
    by

    Linda Lou Zimmerman, 66, of Cashton, Wis., passed away Tuesday, March 12, 2024. Linda was born to George and Edna (Brock) Abbenaus on June 27, 1957, in Billings, Mont.


    Patrick Donald Leis

    March 5th, 2024
    by

    Patrick Donald Leis, 61, of Westby, formerly of Cashton, Wis., died March 4, 2024, at the Gundersen Medical Center in La Crosse, Wis.


  • Kim Ballwahn

    March 5th, 2024
    by

    Kim Ballwahn, 63, of Wilton went home to meet Jesus on March 4, 2024. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew him.


    Ardella Marie Leis

    February 26th, 2024
    by

    Ardella Marie Leis, 89, of Cashton, Wis., passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by her family, Friday, Feb. 23, 2024. Ardella was born March 17, 1934, to Joseph and Irma (Schmitz) Schreier. 


    Dennis Norman Hemmersbach

    February 26th, 2024
    by

    Dennis Norman Hemmersbach, 64, of rural Norwalk, Wis., passed away with his family by his side, at his beloved farm, on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024.  Dennis was born March 4, 1959, to LaVern and Cecilia (Schreier) Hemmersbach.  


    Betty H. Schumacher

    February 18th, 2024
    by

    Betty Helen Schumacher, 85, of rural Ontario, Wis., passed away Feb. 16, 2024, at Tomah Health Hospital. During her hospital stay, she was surrounded by the love of her family. 


    Edith Elain (Walter) Hepp Burkhalter

    February 18th, 2024
    by

    Edith Burkhalter, 93, of La Valle, Wis., died Feb. 15, 2024, peacefully at home after a brief illness. 


    Allen E. Schraufnagel

    February 18th, 2024
    by

    Allen Edward Schraufnagel, 94, passed away peacefully Dec. 2, 2023, at Milestone Senior Living in Hillsboro, Wis.


  • Archives