Don G. Olds
April 22, 1942 ~ March 6, 2024 (age 81).
Don Olds, age 81, died unexpectedly on Mar 6, 2024, at Mayo Clinic, Eau Claire WI. He was born on April 22, 1942, in Neenah, WI to Orville and Dorothy Olds.
Don grew up in Mosinee WI with his parents, sister, brother, and a large extended close family. He graduated from Mosinee High School and attended Wausau Technical Institute, earning an associate degree in Residential Design. He met his wife Anita LaMere in grade school, and they went on their first date in June 1956. Don and Anita were together for 68 years and celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary in 2023. They moved to Eau Claire WI in Jan 1963 for a job with HH Kleiner Lumber Company which Don later acquired, and it became Eau Claire Lumber and Design. Don was a friendly, fun-loving athlete, salesman, and community-minded individual. He enjoyed softball, hockey, football, bowling, tennis, and golf. He gave back to the Eau Claire community as a member of the Sunrise Exchange Club, his church, and most importantly his Masonic affiliation.
Don became a member of Sanctuary Lodge #347 F.& A.M. of Wisconsin in Eau Claire, which was the start of his journey with his Masonic Brothers. He was raised to a Mason in 1994 and one year later, joined the Scottish Rite Valley of Eau Claire, becoming a 32nd degree Master Mason. He served as Master of the Lodge for two separate terms in his 29 years of service. In 2011, Don was coroneted as an Honorary 33rd degree Mason, one of his proudest accomplishments.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Stuart (Kim), his wife Anita's parents, her sister and husband. He is survived by his wife Anita, sister Connie (Bill), sister-in-law Kim (Stuart), daughters Becky Graf, and Molly Peterschmidt (Dan), grandsons David Graf (Alicia), Joe Graf, Tom Peterschmidt, Ted Peterschmidt and great-grandson Gavin.
A visitation and service will be held on March 13, 2024, at the Eau Claire Masonic Temple, 616 Graham Ave. Visitation will start at 10 am, and services following at 11 am.
The family requests that those who wish to remember Don, please make a donation to “The Historic Eau Claire Masonic Preservation Fund” in lieu of flowers.
Checks can be made payable to the ECMBT Building Preservation Fund. This donation will continue to honor our Eau Claire community through a man who supported and/or touched your life, whether you knew him or not. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.
Friends and family may offer condolences online at www.hulkefamilyfh.com.
Hulke Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 3209 Rudolph Road, Eau Claire, WI 54701 is assisting the family with the arrangements.
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