On August 8, 2014, Donald Wrayburn Reese, D.C. (82) of Columbus, Wisconsin completed his life journey and is now home. Born February 23, 1932 in DeForest, Wisconsin to Henry and Ruth (Heisig) Reese, Don had many adventures growing up with his sisters Jeane Benoit, Nelda ("Rusty") Reese, Beverly ("Penny") Halverson and brother Richard ("Dick") Reese. He graduated from Madison East High School in 1950. After two years at Wisconsin Power & Light Company as a draftsman, he enlisted in the United States Navy as a Sea Bee during the Korean War (1952-54) and spent time in Cuba, as well as French Morocco as part of the construction battalion building landing strips. Upon discharge from the Navy, Don pursued his Doctor of Chiropractic degree at Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa graduating in 1958. During this time he married his love, Joan Marie Johnson-Gilbert on May 18, 1956 in Madison.
After graduation from Palmer College, Don and Jody moved to Columbus, Wisconsin to start a family and what was to become a long career as a Chiropractor, touching the lives of countless individuals over his 50 years of service to the community and surrounding area. Unwavering compassion for those in pain and his deep understanding of how he could help others with his knowledge and abilities will be missed by many.
Don loved his Packers and Badgers and so enjoyed the athletic endeavors of his children, grandchildren and their friends. Any day was a great day to enjoy a game from softball to baseball, football to volleyball, fishing and golf…he enjoyed them all. He also loved the arts, be it music or the stage, as performed by them and their friends. Young people expressing their passion for life brought enjoyment to his.
He found enjoyment in carving wood into shapes he could see within it. Ludvig and Halvor the gnomes were brought to life, as well as a bevy of Santa's, comic book characters, horses and wooden apples.
Don was a lifetime member of American Legion Post 62 of Columbus and a founding member of Faith Lutheran Church of Columbus. His faith was strong and led him through the tough times of the recent months.
Welcoming him home are his wife Jody (1987), infant son David (1957), his mother Ruth, father Henry, sisters Jeane, Rusty and Penny.
He is dearly missed already by his brother Dick (Carol) of Madison and his children Mark (Lois) of Fort Wayne, Indiana; Sue of Columbus; Diane (Steven) Schwoerer of Neenah; Paul (Rhonda) of Columbus and Kathy (Troy) Jansky of Albany, Minnesota and grandchildren: Bryan (Mignon), Dan, Megan, Amber (Tom), Adam (Karen), Aubrey, Aaron, Aleeh, Ashlyn, Abbey, Aniya, Ava, Aizik, Andy, Jamie, Kasey, Brittni and Kyle; and great-grandchildren Lily, AJ and Ellie, as well as many special others who knew him as "Grandpa Reese," "Uncle Don," or "Doc Reese."
His family would like to thank all the wonderful and compassionate care he most recently received from the doctors, nurses, palliative care team and clergy at St. Mary's Hospital in Madison. His road home was a long one, but he traveled it with dignity and much appreciated guidance by marvelous and caring people. Many thanks to all the medical people throughout the years who helped him to live a most wonderful life amongst the family he loved and the friends he cherished.
Visitation was held at Faith Lutheran Church in Columbus, Wisconsin on Friday, August 15 from 5:00-8:00 pm and again on Saturday, August 16 from 10:00 am until the time of service at 11:00 am. Burial was at Roselawn Cemetery in Madison following a brief luncheon at the church.
Memorials can be made to a favorite or meaningful charity or organization in honor of his life of love, service and passion to help people.
In celebration of his life and his free spirit, everyone is invited to wear their favorite Packer, Badger, Cubs, Brewers or Columbus Cardinal fanwear … a suit just wouldn't suit him … as we can hear him singing– " We're busy doin' nothing, working the whole day through, trying to find lots of things not to do! We're busy going nowhere, isn't it just a crime? We'd like to be unhappy, but we never do have the time!"
Jensen Funeral & Cremation, Columbus (jensenfuneralandcreation.com) is assisting the family.