Don L. Moldenhauer, 80, of Kenosha, passed away peacefully at his residence on Thursday, December 20, 2012, surrounded by his loving family. Born on August 24, 1932, in Eau Claire, WI, he was the son of the late Erv and Ferne (Lightfoot) Moldenhauer. Nine years later in Springfield, IL, he was joined by a younger sister, Mary Lou. Growing up in Davenport, IA, Don graduated in 1954 from the University of Iowa with degree studies in film and theater production and entered military service that same year. He became a cinematographer in the Public Information Office at Fort Bliss, TX, and also nearby White Sands Guided Missile Proving Grounds. Later he relocated to the Army Pictorial and Television Center in Long Island City, NY, as a project technician in experiments with educational television methodology to produce military training films. Returning to civilian career pursuits in 1955, he was a director and producer of evening news programming at television stations in Waterloo, IA, and later in Peoria, IL. He joined the public relations staff at Carthage College in 1956, then located in Carthage, IL—a career choice that lasted for the next three decades of his professional career. In 1959, he was married to Joy Peters of Des Moines, IA. They had two daughters, Karen, born December 19, 1960, Carthage, IL and Laura, November 2, 1962, Kenosha, WI. In 1987, after retiring from Carthage, Don started his private business, Impressions Graphic Designs, a marketing service for small manufacturing companies. He retired in 1997. Don was a Rotarian and was a Paul Harris Fellow; he was involved in the Rotary Exchange Program for many years. His wife of 40 years, Joy preceded him in death on October 10, 1999. On July 14, 2001, he and the Honorable Judge Mary K. Wagner were united in marriage to enjoy life together through their common love of family, friends, entertaining, hiking, kayaking, fishing and biking. In 2010 he was appointed to chair a county-wide committee to begin planning the infrastructure for bike trails and routes throughout Kenosha County. He is survived by his wife, Mary; daughters, Karen (Mike) Howell of Kenosha, Laura (Jean-Paul) Bigirindavyi of St. Louis Park, MN; five grandchildren, Patrick and Abigail Howell, and Jessica, Malaika and Halima Bigirindavyi; and his sister, Mary Lou Atkinson of Fort Collins, CO. A memorial gathering will be held on Wednesday, December 26, 2012 at St. Mary‘s Lutheran Church, 2001-80th Street, from 3:00 p.m. until the time of the memorial service at 4:00 p.m. with a reception to follow. Memorial gifts to the Carthage College Endowment Fund to help continue scholarship awards to students from the Kenosha area will be appreciated by the family.Proko Funeral Home & Crematory5111-60th StreetKenosha, WI 53144Phone: (262) 654-3533Visit Don’s Online Memorial Book at:www.prokofuneralhome.com
Condolences
Pat and Tom Heller
December 13, 2013
Mary, you are always in our hearts wherever we are. We are sending you big hugs.
Pat and Tom Heller
December 27, 2012
Mary,Feel our hugs.
Mike Serpe and Debra Hertzberg
December 23, 2012
Dearest Mary,Our very deepest sympathy to you. We are so very sorry for your loss.Love,Deb and Mike
Kathryn Comstock
December 22, 2012
I will miss this lovely man, who was a delight to know in so many ways. We are all better for having him touch our lives.
Margaret Heller
December 22, 2012
A true gentleman and wonderful man. I am thinking of you Mary K - your life with Don seemed do fulfilled and happy. This is truly a heavy loss for you and the Kenosha Community.
Bob and Joan Lesko
December 22, 2012
Praers and Sympathy to Don Moldenhauer Family. We know Mary K. Wagner Moldenhauer Mary and I are related. We hope in time you will find peace. Mary, you and Don had a great live together.