Donald W. "Don" Wingers, age 85, passed away on Friday, June 19, 2026, at Clearview Long Term Care in Juneau. He was born on July 24, 1940, in Marinette to Jacob and Mae (Cramer) Wingers. Don graduated from Cambria High School in 1958. After graduation, he worked in Columbus fabricating mufflers until the family farmhouse burned down in 1960, prompting his return home to help rebuild and continue farming. On June 25, 1960, he married JoAnn Holvenstot at the United Methodist Church in Randolph, and together they raised two children.

How do you fit nearly 86 years of a wonderful life into a few paragraphs? You begin by saying that Don was a farmer through and through. When he was seven, his one-room schoolhouse teacher had to lock the door to keep him from running home to help his dad on the farm. As an adult, he worked side by side with his wife of almost 66 years, his children, and later his grandchildren. Even the fourth generation had begun spending time with Great-Grandpa in the "shop."

He loved milking cows, planting crops, and harvesting the fruits of his labor. He was always grateful for answered prayers—for sunshine and rain, good health, and good friends.

Don worked hard, but he made time for fun. He took his family snowmobiling and boating, and when JoAnn could coax him away from the farm, they traveled. He especially enjoyed Jamaica, Ireland, and Iceland, along with many stateside adventures. (They were "trips," not "vacations"—because he had to stay busy then too.)

His favorite winter pastime was restoring antique tractors. He was a member of the Cambria-Friesland Chamber of Commerce and the Old Mill Foundation.

Don spent countless hours shootin' the breeze with his farmer friends, always ready to talk about the season's events or celebrate a special occasion. He enjoyed stirring up a little mischief when the moment allowed. He liked having his dog Sophie by his side. And he liked his daily Pepsi and chocolate.

At his core, Don was a simple man: he worked hard, played hard, loved deeply, and tried every day to live by the Golden Rule.

Survivors include his wife, JoAnn of Randolph; his daughter Denise Wingers of Fox Lake; his son Lynn Wingers (Lynn Hoornstra) of Randolph; two grandchildren, Megan (Joe) Zimmermann and Eric Wingers (Maura Davidson); eight great-grandchildren, Isabella, Evelyn, Olivia, Lewis, Barrett, Alyssa, Zavier, and Leland; six brothers, David Wingers of Randolph, Daniel (Kathleen) Wingers of Cambria, Dale (Alice) Wingers of Columbus, Dennis (Kathie) Wingers of Montello, Darrel (Karen) Wingers of Columbus, and Dean Wingers of Randolph; one sister, Nancy Moore of Baraboo; a sister-in-law, Carol (Ray) Briones-Wood of Cambria; as well as many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his son-in-law, Robert Hayes; his mother- and father-in-law, Glenn and Ruth Holvenstot; his sister-in-law, Dorothy Wingers; and his brother-in-law, John Moore.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the care teams at Columbus Community Hospital, Clearview in Juneau, and to Pastor Fred Schumacher for their support.

Per Don's wishes, a private celebration of life will be held. Memorials may be directed to the American Diabetes Association.

Please share your online condolences with Don's family at jensenfuneralandcremation.com.