Donald Gene Zantow
January 16, 1939 - August 02, 2015
Obituary
MOUNT HOREB-Donald G. Zantow, age 76, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 2, 2015, at Ingleside Manor with family by his side. He was born in Madison on January 16, 1939, to Walter and Edith Zantow. Don graduated from East High School and married his high school sweetheart Mary Brown on May 7, 1957. He then enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a paratrooper and was stationed on the 30th Parallel in Korea. After an honorable discharge in 1959, Don and his family first lived in Madison and then New Glarus before settling near Mt. Vernon in 1967. Don spent over 30 years working in concrete flatwork. He co-founded A&D Concrete and later owned his own business, Mardons Construction. Don was the proud father of three sons and an avid outdoorsman that loved hunting, fishing, and trapping. He co-founded the Wisconsin Trappers Association in 1963. Don was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2008 and was honored to participate in the 2013 50th anniversary celebration. His memory will be cherished by his wife and nurse of 58 years, Mary; three sons, Robert (Kathy) Zantow, Donald (Karen) Zantow, and Chris (Sarah) Zantow; four grandchildren; Jeremy (Leena Oliver) Zantow, Odessa (Uno) McKibben, Donald (Christina) Zantow, Shawnna (Mitch) Webber and four great-grandchildren; Bo Zantow, Dawson Zantow, Paityn Webber, and Vivian McKibben. Don was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Ronald Zantow, and sister, Charlotte Ring. A memorial gathering will be held at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL & CREMATION CARE, 7435 University Avenue, Middleton, on Saturday, August 8, 2015 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Burial will take place following the memorial at Middleton Junction Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com
Events
Memorial Gathering
Sat Aug 8, 2015 @ 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Madison • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
Photos
No photos of Donald have been shared yet.
Memories
PV
pat varney
Other •
Our deepest sympathy and heartfelt prayers to the Zantow family. Don was a one of my closest friends and the memories I made with him are some of the best of my life. Our traplines together, hunting morels, doing fur, going to Marshfield a local auction, watching jeopardy in the shop were all fun but the long talks and things I learned from him were the best. He always loved hearing about the pour at work when I would stop for a beer at the end of the day. He always told me that when he died that he wanted the song "I did it my way" by Sinatra played at his funeral. This is about the best I can do to make that happen. I will miss you forever.
Pat Varney and family
MK
MaryRay L Katsuma
Other •
I'm sorry you had to leave so early. May you rest in Peace. Thank you for bringing into this world your son Chris, who is a great guy.
LB
larry brenwall
Other •
So sorry for your loss, Chris. Your dad had a vision and I feel it every time I attend a W.T.A. convention. God Bless you and the Zantow family in your hour of grief.
Larry Brenwall, Past President of the Wisconsin Trappers Association (1979-80)