Donald Gail Douglas Sr., 87, passed away in his home surrounded by his family on the farm in La Valle, WI on April 29, 2025 due to complications from prostate cancer. Don was born August 13, 1937, in Reedsburg to Lee and Helen (Doering) Douglas, the second of six boys. He was raised on the family farm in Winfield Township where his love of the land and farming grew as he did. Don’s real passion, however, was woodworking. Other than high school shop class, he was a self-taught craftsman with an engineer’s mind, an artist's creativity, and a surgeon's steady hands. 

Don went to Fox Creek Elementary School and was a 1955 graduate of Reedsburg High School.  After graduating, he earned his living as a self-employed cabinet maker, carpenter, and farmer. On September 29, 1961, he was married to Shari Louise Duddleston. On October 15, 1961, during the Berlin Crisis, he began active duty with the Army National Guard. He and Shari moved to La Valle and have called it home since 1963.

Don’s life of service continued after he was honorably discharged from the Army Reserves. He served on the board of La Valle Telephone for 39 years, and the La Valle Fire Department for 35 years.  He was also a long-time member of the Advent Christian Church and the La Valle branch of the American Legion.

Don spent much of his free time helping family and friends with projects.  Over the years, he also enjoyed bowling with the Douglas Auto Parts team, pitching horseshoes, and playing slow-pitch softball. His favorite activity was hunting, especially for raccoons.  He was a long-time member of the La Valle Sportsmens’ Club and took great pride in the award-winning blue tick hounds he raised and trained during the 1970s and ‘80s. Over the years, many friends and family gathered weekly at Don’s woodworking shop (The Shop), to sit on 5-gallon pails to discuss over beers anything worth talking about including world events and politics. Eventually, a few games of euchre would ensue. Shari nick-named the group “The 5-Gallon Pail Club” and understood that no plans could be made on Saturday afternoons when the group met.

Don is survived by his wife of 63 years, Shari; two children, Donald Jr., “Donnie” (Joann Mundth) and Dori (Mike) Conlin; grandchildren Zachary “Zach” (Jenny Roecker) Klett, Nicole, Tyler (Elizabeth Bazany),  Seth (Whitney Bernier), and Drew Douglas; great-grandchildren, Kinsley, Kamryn, Zachary, Evan, and baby boy Klett (due in August), and Walker and Wrenley Douglas; brothers Thomas “Tom” and William “Bill” (Debbie) Douglas; brothers-in-law Wayne (Jeannie) Duddleston and Edward Duddleston; sister in law Dianne (Daryl) Hansen, and many beloved nieces, nephews, and friends.

Don was preceded in death by his parents Lee and Helen, and Shari’s parents Volney “Toad” and Edna Duddleston; brothers Robert “Bob”, Eugene “Chub” and Richard “Dick” along with his wife Margaret, and their two daughters Pamela “Pam” and Jennifer “Jenny”; and a sister-in-law Diane.

Don’s legacy will live on within the hundreds of homes he built or remodeled with his business partner, Jim Dorow in the Reedsburg/La Valle area, including many on lakes Redstone and Dutch Hollow. He was especially proud of his work on the current worship hall for the Advent Christian Church in La Valle.

Memorials may be made to the La Valle Advent Christian Church, the La Valle American Legion, or the charity of your choice. Condolences may be sent to PO Box 92, La Valle, WI 53941. Don’s family extends their special thanks to SSM Hospice and Cynthia Thurber for their care and support.

According to Don’s wishes, services and interment (Oaklawn Cemetery, La Valle) will be private.

With love and appreciation, friends and family are cordially invited to a celebration of life at Don’s shop in La Valle on Saturday, August 16, 2025, from 1-6 pm.