WAUNAKEE - Donald R. Bowes, age 84, of Waunakee, Wis. passed away on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at home. He was born on May 1, 1941, in Madison, Wis., son of David and Belva Bowes.

Don graduated from East High School in Madison. He went on to work for the Steamfitters Union Local 394, retiring in 1997.

Don met the love of his life, Karen MacMiller when they were 16 years old at the Rollerdrome in Madison. They married two years later and built a beautiful life together for the next 65 years. You could feel the love every time they danced.

Don loved pheasant and deer hunting along with fishing, boating and camping. He loved the home he built and kept a pristine lawn. No weed got by him as he always had a squirt bottle of weed killer ready and loaded on his lawn mower. He loved going out for a good meal and spending a little fun money at Ho-Chunk. His family was everything to him. He loved spoiling the grandkids with his homemade chocolate malts, making leaf forts and showing them fishing tricks to catch the “Big One.”

Donald is survived by his wife, Karen; son, Donald C. Bowes; daughters, Dena (Scott) Cass and Sherri Bowes; grandchildren, Kennedy Bowes, Kristen (Jason Duhr) Cass, Alyssa Cass, Kyle Cass, Nikki (Kevin Krause) Steinhofer, Alec Kenyon, Justyn Kenyon and Darien Kenyon; great-grandchildren, Runa Steinhofer, Mason Krause, Bristol Krause, Presley Krause, Kensley Krause, Ryann Krause, Sawyer Krause, Emersyn Krause and Kinsley Kenyon; and his loyal little canine buddy, Benji. He was preceded in death by his parents, David and Belva Bowes; daughter, Dawn Bowes; grandchildren, Eric Steinhofer and Jennifer Steinhofer; sister, Janet Ziegler; and in-laws, Terry Schultz, Wendy Scalissi and Joe Scalissi.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Department of Veteran Affairs. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420

Donald Ralph Bowes

May 01, 1941 - November 25, 2025

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