Donald Schuette
June 05, 1930 - July 26, 2021
Obituary
FITCHBURG- Donald R. Schuette, age 91, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 26, 2021. He was born in St. Paul, Minn., on June 5, 1930, to William Frederick and Nettie Isabel (nee Johnson) Schuette. He is survived by his wife, Joan Louise (nee Bennett); daughters, Claudia Rohr and Dawn Schuette-McKinnon (Michael McKinnon); son-in-law, Stuart Pippel; four grandchildren, Margaret (Aaron) Boodle, Ross Schuette, Hilary Rohr and Holly McKinnon; and sister-in-law, Joyce Swanson. He was preceded in death by his brothers and sisters, William M. Schuette, Walter E. Schuette, Elizabeth M. Carlson and Virginia E. Schweich.
Don graduated as class valedictorian from North St. Paul High School in 1947, and went on to Macalester College and the University of Minnesota where he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees and met Joan. They were married in 1953 and lived in various places around the Midwest. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in 1963 and taught at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa as well as serving as Dean of the School of Business before settling in Madison in 1965. His career was at the University of Wisconsin Business School as a professor of Actuarial Science, retiring in 1992. He and Joan were married for nearly 68 years and had four children. Two of them, Elizabeth Lynn and Wade Frederick, preceded him in death.
Don and his family enjoyed spending summers at Green Lake, Minn., and many camping trips throughout the United States. The youngest of five siblings, Don enjoyed extended family visits and his many nieces and nephews. His love of dance, especially international folk dancing, was a hallmark in his life, and he passed that on to his daughters. Golf, duplicate bridge, line dancing and genealogical research kept him busy in retirement. His genealogical efforts led to visits with cousins in Bad Essen and Osnabruck, Germany.
Don was a long-term member of the First Unitarian Society and served as president 1983-85. A remembrance service will be held at FIRST UNITARIAN SOCIETY, 900 University Bay Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021. A visitation will be held from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday. All who attend are asked to wear a mask.
We would like to thank the nurses, CNA’s, and social workers of Agrace HospiceCare for their excellent care over the last year.
Memorials may be made to Agrace HospiceCare, First Unitarian Society, or American Heart Association. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson Fitchburg
Funeral & Cremation Care
2950 Chapel Valley Road
(608) 442-5002
Events
Visitation
Sat Aug 28, 2021 @ 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
First Unitarian Society • -, -, WI null
Memorial Service
Sat Aug 28, 2021 @ 11:00 AM CDT
First Unitarian Society • -, -, WI null
Photos
No photos of Donald have been shared yet.
Memories
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Richard Weinhandl
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Years ago when I was a youngster, I would get excited when Uncle Donald and Aunt Joan would come back to Minnesota to visit from wherever Uncle Donald was teaching at the time. Grandma Schuette's old house on White Bear Ave was the meeting place and the entire family would get together there to visit them. When I first approached Donald during those meetings he would say hi Dick, and then immediately ask a math question or math problem of some kind. That occurred at every meeting until I was out of high school. He was a teacher first and foremost and as well had an incredible memory. Nephew Richard.
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Herb Heneman
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We are so sorry to learn of don’s passing, and send our condolences to you all. Don was a vibrant guy who pursued a variety of fun activities that I got to take part in with him: paddleball, golf, hockey, polka (and waltz and schottische) dancing, being on the water. if that isn’t enough, don was a great colleague in the school of business. He was especially kind and helpful to me in getting socialized my first several years on the faculty. He was well-respected by his peers for his teaching and research, and he provided a calm and reasoned influence in his service to his colleagues and the school. thank you, don. rest in peace. Herb and Sue Heneman
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Peggy Ford
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Sending heartfelt condolences to Joan and family.
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Michael Schuler
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I was sorry to read of Don’s passing in today’s obituaries. I have the fondest memories of both him and Joan, who was on staff at FUS when I arrived in 1988. Don was a fixture on our finance committee and annual campaigns. More than that, I found him to be a genial soul and a reliable supporter of the Society and my own thirty year ministry. To Joan and all the family, I extend my sincere sympathy for your loss. Don lived a good, long life but is passing is a cause for sadness. Michael Schuler, minister emeritus, First Unitarian Society
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Don Schwab
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I share the family’s sadness in leaning of “Brother” Schuette’s passing. He and I, and our spouses, became friends shortly after I arrived at UW in 1967. From early on we addressed each other as “Brother”, a moniker of affection even though we spent many an hour arguing about various topics. Arguments that never threatened our friendship, however. I concur with Herb Heneman about Brother Schuette as a helpful and fun colleague. I called him the king of minor sports as he bested me regularly in paddle ball, then racket ball, golf, bowling, poker and likely other activities I’ve now forgotten. Rest in peace Brother Schuette.
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Jane LaFlash
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I have lots of fond memories of folk dancing with Don and Joan. My sympathy to all the family.