Zahasky, Donald Edward 1927 - 2019

ZAHASKY, KUNT, QUINN, KEPHART, MIKESH, HOLORSON, HUDSON, KABAT, KAUER, NOAKE, KERNS, AGUAYO, HOLCOMB

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/19/2024 at 21:00:46

U.S. Veteran
Donald Edward Zahasky, 91, of Decorah, Iowa, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Friday, July 19, 2019 at the Patty Elwood Center in Cresco, Iowa.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 24, 2019 at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Decorah with Rev. Daniel Knipper officiating. Burial will be in St. Benedict Catholic Cemetery in Decorah with Military Honors.

Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, one- and one-half hours before the service, at St. Benedict Catholic Church.

Don was born in Protivin, Iowa on August 20, 1927 to Edward and Adeline (Kunt) Zahasky. He attended grade school in Protivin and later moved to Cresco, Iowa where he graduated from Assumption High School with the class of 1946. He enlisted with the Navy at the age of 17 and served during WWII on the USS Makin Island. After returning from the war, he married his sweetheart Louise Quinn on November 16, 1946. He graduated from Cedar Rapids Barber College April 5th, 1950. Don and Louise moved to Decorah in 1951 where they raised their five children: Rick, Tom, Kathy, John and Paul.

Don worked at Stinson’s Barber Shop in Decorah for a few years and later went into business with his father Ed Zahasky, running Zahasky’s Tavern until 1987 when the business was sold. Don was also a fulltime fireman with the Decorah Fire Department for 35 years from 1957 until his retirement in 1992.

He served under 13 fire chiefs during his tenure, saw a move from the former fire station on Water Street to the current Decorah Municipal Center and battled some major blazes. There was always room for some pranks and fun along the way with the firefighters he worked with.

Don was a kind-hearted gentleman who loved and cared for his family well. He is survived by his five children: Rick (Roseann) Zahasky of Decorah, Iowa, Tom (Marsha) Zahasky of Madison, Wisconsin, Kathy (Neal) Kephart of Hayward, Wisconsin, John (Melanie) Zahasky of Juneau, Alaska, Paul (Melissa) Zahasky of Juneau, Alaska; one brother, Marvin (Carol) Mikesh of Rochester, MN, sister-in-law, Marge Halvorson of West Union, Iowa, 16 grandchildren: Amy (Eric) Hudson, Andy (Andrea) Zahasky, Nic (Kara) Zahasky, Sara (Hans Kabat) Zahasky, Ben (Kimberly) Zahasky, Brianna (Matt) Kauer, Dan (Michelle( Kephart, Tim (Susan) Kephart, Molly (Tim) Noake, Katie (Zach) Kerns, Stephanie (Chris) Aguayo, David (Kaylene) Zahasky, Melissa (Tim) Holcomb, Laura Zahasky, Quinn (Emily) Zahasky, Abigale Zahasky; 36 great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter.

Don was preceded in death by his wife Louise (Quinn) Zahasky of 72 years on January 12, 2019, his parents; and one brother Ray Mikesh.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Decorah Fire Department Training Center. Make checks payable to the Decorah Volunteer Fire Department, 400 Claiborne Drive, Decorah, IA 52101.

Source: Fjelstul Funeral Home database

St. Benedict Cemetery
 

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