Donald J. Bahrke, 78, of Green Bay, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018, at home with his family by his side. He was born on Sept. 30, 1939, in Gillett, to the late John and Arlyle (Rusch) Bahrke. Don graduated from Gillett High School in 1957. He served his country in the United States Army from 1958 to 1961, spending most of his time on the northernmost border of Maine. On Sept. 7, 1963, he married Naomi Schuettpelz, and they spent 54 years together. Don was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church for over 50 years and served as an elder and on numerous committees throughout the years. He was employed at Response Graphics for over 35 years before retiring in 1996. Don enjoyed traveling, and he and Naomi loved their time spent with friends visiting Alaska, Hawaii, the Canadian Rockies and many other places. He enjoyed spending time at their cabin near Lakewood and their tree farm near Mountain. Don was always ready to help out and treasured his time with family and friends. He built his own corn cooker and made the best sweet corn. Don and Naomi were Lady Phoenix fans and continued to go to the games as long as Don’s health permitted. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, golfing and attending his cousin Jeff’s auctions.
Don will be sadly missed by his wife, Naomi; three sisters, Marie (Dennis) Frederick of Clintonville, Joan (Roger) Seitz of Black Creek, and Arlene (Roger) Kratzke of Clintonville; sister-in-law, June (Don) Ruege of Ashwaubenon; three brothers-in-law, Alger (Althea) Schuettpelz of Saint Peters, Missouri, Alvin (Ellen) Schuettpelz of De Pere, and Dennis Schuettpelz of Suring; and his nieces and nephews, Wayne (Kelly) Seitz of Black Creek, Ellen (Chris) Baumgartner of De Pere, Kathy (Kent) Troxel of Pulaski, Dean (Debbie) Seitz of Seymour, Mark (Cindy) Seitz of Krakow, Craig Seitz of Green Bay, Nancy (Lance) Mertens of De Pere, Robin (Tim) Zellner of Appleton, Renee (Tom) Borgman of O’Fallon, Missouri, Rob (Jill) Schuettpelz of Madison, Rebecca (Jeff) Halcomb of Overland, Missouri, Chad (Lisa) Schuettpelz of Green Bay, Steve (Rose) Ruege of Columbia City, Oregon, and Retha Kellner of De Pere.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, John and Arlyle Bahrke.
Visitation will be held on Friday, Jan. 19, 2018, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 201 S. Oneida St., Green Bay, from 4-7 p.m. Visitation will continue on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018, at church, from 9 a.m. until the time of funeral service at 11 a.m., Rev. Paul Pett will be officiating. Military honors will be performed by the United States Army following the service. Burial will be in Fort Howard Memorial Park. Expressions of sympathy, memories and photos of Don may be shared with his family on his tribute page at www.lyndahl.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to N.E.W. Lutheran High School in Don’s name.
Don’s family wishes to extend a special thank you to Dr. Gunnar Strungs and the staff at Unity Hospice for their care and compassion.