Donald A. "Don" Derr, age 88, passed away on Tuesday, July 4, 2017 at his home. He was born on October 28, 1928 in Columbus to Arthur and Mabel (Hepp) Derr. Don served in the US Air Force during the Korean War. He was married to Mary L. Monson on June 14, 1952 in Stoughton. He was a life long area farmer retiring in 1998, and he and wife Mary became "snowbirds" traveling to Largo, Florida for 15 years. He was a member of the Columbus Rotary Club for over 40 years, a lifelong member of St. Jerome Church, and member of the Knights of Columbus. He also served as a director for the Columbus Community Hospital board for five years and director of the Columbia County Farmers Home Administration for two terms. Don held a real estate license for Hickey Real Estate-Century 21 and was a clerk for Col. Bob Wedel Auction Services. He was an avid Bridge and Sheepsheads player. He is survived by his wife Mary of Columbus; seven children: James Derr of Pleasant Hill CA, Marcia Derr of Boulder CO, Barbara (Dr. Enrique) Ginzburg of Miami Beach FL, Nancy (Chuck) Knoeck of Wausau WI, Michael (Lisa) Derr of Beaver Dam WI, Gerry (Bonni Brown) Derr of Beaver Dam WI, and John (Mary Anne) Derr of Fountain Hills AZ; eleven grandchildren; four sisters: Norene Norman of Columbus WI, Maryann Severson of Columbus WI, Evelyn McNulty of Columbus WI, and Marlene (Ron) Widdel of Westlake Village CA; and a brother-in-law: Orvil Henriksen of Beaver Dam WI. He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Marjorie Henriksen, five brothers-in-law: Thomas Hughes, Donald Severson, Robert McNulty, James Norman, and Rodney Monson; and sister-in-law Terry Monson. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11:30 A.M., with visitation beginning at 9:30 A.M., on Saturday July 15, 2017 at ST. JEROME CATHOLIC CHURCH in Columbus. Rev. Steve Kortendick officiated. Interment was in Hillside Cemetery in Columbus, with military honors. Memorials may be directed to either St. Jerome Church, Clothes for Kids Inc. of Beaver Dam WI, or to your charity of choice. The Derr family extends heartfelt thanks to the Hillside Home Care and Hospice nurses and caregivers for their compassion and care that they gave Don and family during the last several weeks of his life.