Donald James Reichert

Donald James Reichert was welcomed into the adoring arms of our Lord God, in the very early morning hours of Monday, January 24th, 2022. He passed away peacefully at the age of 78, at Banner Baywood Hospital in Mesa, Arizona, after a long battle with a number of medical challenges he had valiantly fought against in recent years. His family will be forever grateful for his long life—one that was truly meaningful and well-lived—and that his soul can now rest in eternal peace.

Donald (Don) was born on Christmas Eve in 1943 to Florence (Polivka) and Ervin Reichert of Stratford, Wisconsin. Raised a farm boy, on a 300-acre dairy farm in central Wisconsin, he enjoyed all that this hard-working lifestyle offered him throughout his time on Earth.

Growing up, Don attended public school in Stratford, graduating from Stratford High in 1962. He enlisted in the US Army shortly after, serving at his primary base in Fort Leonard, Missouri before being stationed internationally in Helmstedt, Germany and on the East German border, 1964-1965. During this time, he achieved a rank of Spec-5 (Sergeant), specializing in Army Intelligence and Communications.

After his honorable discharge in 1965, Don came back home to Wisconsin and worked as a plumber’s assistant in Marshfield, WI and then as a manufacturing worker for the Kohler Company in Kohler, WI until 1967, when he began working full-time for what was known as American (National) Can/Pechiney Plastics in Neenah, WI where he was employed for the next 38 years.

On June 22, 1968, Don married his one and only sweetheart and former Stratford High School classmate, Carol F Schulte, of Neenah, Wisconsin. The wedding service was held in Palmyra, WI and conducted by Carol’s father, a Lutheran pastor. The couple moved into a mobile home near Winchester, WI until they purchased their own small 20-acre farm near Winneconne, WI in 1974. Don happily enjoyed running his own farm, in addition to working full time in Neenah, until the couple retired in 2006 and became snowbirds—splitting their time since then, between summers in Wisconsin and winters in Arizona. Don and Carol have always had a special appreciation and commitment to the communities and church(es) they love, having been active members of Grace Lutheran Church in Winchester, WI and Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church in Gilbert, AZ for more than 50 years.

Donald James Reichert is preceded in death by his parents Ervin and Florence, brother Dennis, nephew Scott Reichert, and younger son Joel James Reichert of Mesa, Arizona. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Carol F Reichert; his son Brad L Reichert of Chandler, Arizona; his adopted son Johnathan D Jozwiak (and family) of Pine, Colorado; his daughter-in-law Lisa Ferrell-Reichert and grandsons Benjamin and Samuel of Mesa, Arizona.

Don was a truly loving husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and grandfather. He always tried to be an exceptional friend and confidant to everyone who knew and loved him. He loved helping out at many church/community events in WI and AZ, spending time with friends and the many members of his family, and taking vacation trips with his “favorite wife” Carol whenever they could. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a unique vocabulary all his own, which was honed over many years of life’s ups and downs. He always seemed to find a light amid the dark times and always took time to enjoy the sunshine during the light times. He will be missed and remembered by friends and family, for many years to come.