Donald Lawrence Gardiner of Kingsford Michigan passed away on 6/02/2014 at Belin Hospital in Green Bay Wisconsin. He was born to Raymond and the late Elizabeth Moyer Gardiner on September 30, 1930. Raymond married Evelyn in 1933, and faithfully raised Donald and older brother Raymond in East Troy.
Donald married Lauretta Jean Rulestead on December 19, 1953. He is survived by five children, Connie Gardiner of Beloit, Wi., Charles and Kathy Gardiner of Kingsford MI., Vickie and Rick King of Beloit, Wi., Wanda and Alvin Hunt of Clinton Wi., and Gail Kaviani of Beloit Wi. In 1993 he married Shelby Grigsby, who passed away in 2008.
Donald is also survived by older brother Raymond and Orlene Gardiner of Burlington Wi., and nieces, Peggy Fleck, Penny Vogel, and Pamela Woodrich.
He is the proud grandfather of seven grandchildren; Adrianne Messerschmidt ,Jason Guernsey, David Guernsey, Nicole Gardiner Petitt, Elizabeth Hunt, Carolyn Hunt and Amir Kaviani. He was also the Great-grandfather of 19 children.
Don was a veteran of the Korean War and served proudly from 1951-1952. After his honorable discharge he became a journeyman machinist. He was employed by Ingersoll Rand in Rockford Ill., and Beloit Mattress Company, Beloit Wis. He then retired from Rockford Manufacturing Group in 1995.
Donald had a great many interests throughout his life; he was a devoted Chicago Bears fan, among a family of Green Bay Packer fans. He liked to deer hunt and went many years with his daughter Vickie, and in later years with his son-in-law, Alvin Hunt. He also had a great affection for squirrels, particularly one named Jenny. For her, he built a castle. While living at Rock Bay Arbor he had a balcony and fed them devotedly, some by hand and even named them affectionately. Last but not least was his cat he lovingly named, “Stupid”.
Don spent his retirement by traveling, gardening at his daughter Gails, wood crafting and reading. In 2012 he went on a great adventure with Son Charles and daughter-in-law, Kathy touring the great west in a motor home. He then settled in Kingsford, Michigan where he bought a house with his son Charles and Kathy, and their faithful companion, Lambeau, a golden retriever.
Donald touched the lives of many people throughout his life and will be forever missed.
from rukfuneralhome.com.