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Obituary: Donald A. Ohlrogge

December 22, 1923 ~ December 10, 2021

Donald Arthur Ohlrogge, 97, of Sturgeon Bay died at Door County Medical Center on December 10, 2021, after a hearty 97 years of life.  He went peacefully and was able to spend all his last years in the home he loved and was able to keep a fierce independence right up to the end of his life, just as he wanted it.

He was born the first child of Herbert and Gertrude (Meshke) Ohlrogge on December 22, 1923, in Shawano.  Donald joined the Marines out of high school in 1941 in response to the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.  He served proudly on the U.S.S. aircraft carrier Enterprise as a tailer gunner in the Pacific theatre during World War 2 with Japan.  One of his joys of his life was attending the Enterprise reunions every five to ten years.  Donald returned to his Door County roots and worked for Acme Tree Surgery for over 35 years and married the love of his life Doris Hunsader in September of 1950.  She passed away on October 21, 2005.

Donald was also an active member of Amvets Post 51 after the war and was one of the members of their precision drill team that delighted generations during summer parades and other festivities.  They were honored by performing during the January 1961 Inauguration of President John Kennedy.

Donald enjoyed bowling, fishing for perch when they were numerous in Sturgeon Bay waters, skiing with the kids at Potawatomi Ski hill, taking road trips, scuba diving, playing card games with the family and friends, and watching his kids and grandkids play sports.  No matter how tired he was after a long day at work he always found time to be there for them.

He is survived by his two children, Debby (Arnie) Zahn, Algoma; Dennis (Jean) Ohlrogge, Arvada, Colorado; two grandchildren, Michele (John) Slaby and Dane Ohlrogge; two great granddaughters, Shauna and Sierra Slaby; as well as his sisters, Janet Claflin, Dorothy Walker, Jane (Charlie) Pichette and brother, Clifford Ohlrogge and many nieces and nephews on both the Hunsader and Ohlrogge sides of the family.  He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Doris, brother, Herbert and grandson, Mark Zahn; in-laws, Keith Claflin, Charles Walker and Evelyn Ohlrogge.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 14, 202,1 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, the Rev. Carl Schroeder officiating.  Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery with military honors.  Friends may call at the church at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday until time of services.