Obituary: Donald “Digger” W. Rae

October 3, 1934 ~ September 24, 2021

Donald “Digger” W. Rae, 86 years old, of Sturgeon Bay and Menasha, died suddenly Friday afternoon, September 24, 2021, at Door County Medical Center Emergency Room after suffering an apparent heart attack.

Donald was born October 3, 1934, in Menasha, the son of the late William and Alice (Arndt) Rae. He graduated from Menasha High School in 1953. While competing in a track meet, a coach yelled out to Don to “dig, dig”, a term used in sprinting.  This is how Don came to be called “Digger” for the rest of his life. So, Digger served his country in the United States Army on Border Patrol in Germany, the Berlin Wall, from 1957-1959. Digger was a loyal employee of Menasha Corporation for 37 years, retiring as head press operator.

On October 23, 1987, he married Kerrin Demmin from Sturgeon Bay. They lived in Menasha and Sturgeon Bay. Together, they loved adventure and driving to different venues and sights, spending as much time on the road as that adventure would lead to. He enjoyed hunting with his nephews and brothers, trout fishing (stream), bowling, and playing softball. A highlight to every year and something Digger looked forward to was the 4th of July parties with family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Kerrin; nephew, David Rae (they had a father/son relationship; sisters, Jean (Richard) Toeppler, Shirley (Frank) Erdman, Mary Beth Ganzyk; brothers, Bill (Linda) Rae, Robert “Bear”, David Rae, Russel (Carol) Rae; brother-in-law, Chris (Carol) Demmin; and sister-in-law, Nancy Demmin; many dear nephews and nieces; and his two dogs, Katie, and Maggie.

Preceding him in death were his parents; and brothers, Jim and Bruce.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 2, 2021 at Huehns Funeral Home in Sturgeon Bay. Military honors by the United States Army and the Weber-Tess AMVETS Post #51 will follow. Burial will be in Schumacher Cemetery on the Demmin family lot.

Friends may call at Huehns Funeral Home from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. on Friday October 1, 2021 and again on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at 11:00 a.m.

Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Digger may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.huehnsfuneralhome.com.