Donald Lee Wilhelms

Donald Lee Wilhelms, 95, of Fond du Lac, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 1, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family. Don was born on August 14, 1930, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, to Clarence and Eunice (Skinner) Wilhelms. On October 15, 1955, he married the love of his life, Myra Keuler of Mount Calvary. Together they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on October 15, 2025. Through hard work, determination, and a deep love for family, Don built a life defined by honesty, kindness, and service to others. For more than 50 years, he worked as an automobile mechanic at Holiday Automotive. A Master Mechanic, Don was proud to be the first employee hired in 1958 when Bill Gores opened Holiday Oldsmobile on Main Street in Fond du Lac. He remained with the dealership throughout his entire career and became affectionately known as “Mr. Goodwrench.” Don also taught Car Mechanics for decades at Moraine Park Technical Institute. Don was a faithful member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Fond du Lac, where he was active in the church choir, the Holy Name Society, and served as a Boy Scout leader. His faith remained an important part of his life, and he generously gave his time and talents to both his church and community. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Elks Club, and the Eagles Club. Music was one of Don’s greatest joys. He sang bass and baritone for many years in numerous groups, including St. Mary’s Church Choir, the Elks Male Chorus, the Barbershop Chorus, the Fond du Lac Oratorio Chorus (now South Shore Chorale), and his barbershop quartet, “The Four Dons.” Later in life, he devoted his time to singing with and encouraging individuals with special needs through the United Singers of Fond du Lac. Above all else, Don was a devoted family man. Every year he eagerly packed up the family station wagon for adventures that became treasured memories. After the children were grown, he and Myra traveled extensively throughout the United States and around the world. Don and Myra also enjoyed camping each summer and maintained a permanent seasonal lot at Green Lake Campground for 38 years. As a young stable boy at the Fond du Lac County Fairgrounds, Don developed a lifelong love of horses and dreamed of becoming a cowboy. At age 70, he fulfilled that dream by participating in a real cattle drive in Wyoming. Sleeping beneath a sky filled with endless stars, he experienced the cowboy adventure he had imagined since childhood. Throughout his life, Don remained steadfast in who he was—strong, sincere, pleasant, and dependable. He lived by the example that character is built through hard work, loyalty, faith, and caring for others. He never sought attention or recognition; he simply lived with quiet dignity, devotion to his family, commitment to his work, dedication to his church, loyalty to his friends, and deep affection for his beloved wife, Myra. Don is survived by his wife, Myra; his three children, Mark (Janet) Wilhelms of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, Michael Wilhelms of Los Angeles, California, and LynnAnn (Patrick) Ziegler of Northfield, Minnesota; and four grandchildren: Katie (Austin) Frey of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Tim Ziegler of Northfield, Minnesota, Andrew (Betsy) Ziegler of Northfield, Minnesota, Maria (Walter) Sularski of Stillwater, Minnesota. He is also survived by his great-granddaughter, Charlotte Ziegler, and an expected great-grandson due in August to Maria and Walter Sularski. Further survivors include his beloved and loving sister, Sharon Mansmith of Ripon, Wisconsin, as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Don was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Eunice Wilhelms; his stepmother, Alice Wilhelms; his stepfather, Noble Williams; and his brother and sister-in-law, LeRoy and Juanice Wilhelms. Don’s legacy lives on in the family he cherished, the friendships he nurtured, the music he shared, and the countless lives he touched through his kindness, generosity, and unwavering character. VISITATION: Family will greet friends and relatives from 1:00 – 3:00 PM on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at Kurki Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 31 East Division Street, Fond du Lac. SERVICE: Memorial services will be held at 3:00 PM on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at Kurki Funeral Chapel & Crematory, with Darrell Brown officiating. Inurnment will take place on Thursday, June 25, 2026 at Estabrooks Cemetery.

Donald Lee Wilhelms

August 14, 1930 - June 1, 2026