Donald B. Ewelt

Donald B. Ewelt

November 02, 1931 - March 25, 2026

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Obituary

PARDEEVILLE / MADISON - Donald B. Ewelt, age 94, of Pardeeville and Madison, passed away on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital. He was born on November 2, 1931, in Melvina, Wis., the son of Anton and Frances (Wacker) Ewelt.


Donald married Shirley Gnewikow on December 28, 1954, in Norwalk, Wis. He served in the U.S. Army from 1953-1955. He worked for Gardner Baking Company for 31 years, retiring in 1994, and then went on to work part-time for Madison Records, Piggly Wiggly and Pride of America Campground


After his time in the Army, Donald moved to Madison in 1955 and lived there for 44 years before retiring to Pardeeville in 1999.


Donald belonged to the Knights of Columbus in Portage. He was an avid traveler, enjoyed working in his yard and loved playing cards. He was Mr. Fix-It, and he had a skill for getting anything back up and running.


Donald is survived by his wife, Shirley; children, Kathy Gugel, Greg Ewelt, Terri (Rick) Martinson, Bobbi Ewelt and Susi (Bear) Holm; grandchildren, Jay (Cindy) Gugel, Andrea Gugel, Dan (Maggie) Gugel, Nik (Abby) Ewelt, Erika Ewelt, Rebecka (Hunter) Kreger, Alex (Adam) Kimball, Kevin Martinson, Dugan Ewelt-McAuliffe and Finn Holm; 12 great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frances and Anton; brother, Norbert Ewelt; son-in-law, Thomas Gugel; and in-laws, Ruby and Fred Gnewikow.


A celebration of life will be held at the PARDEEVILLE SENIOR CENTER, 113 Industrial Drive, Pardeeville, from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 18, 2026.


Memorials may be made to the Columbia County Humane Society. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.


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




Events

18
Celebration of Life
Sat Jul 18, 2026 @ 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM CDT
Pardeeville Senior Center • 113 Industrial Dr, Pardeeville, WI 53594
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Donald
AE
A Memorial Tree was planted for Donald B. Ewelt
Other •
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ Gunderson Funeral Home - Madison
AA
Aleta Amick
Other •
I’m so sorry for your loss Shirley and family. My Dad Jerry and Don worked together for many years at Gardner’s. I remember many get-togethers at your house growing up. He was always such a fun and happy go lucky kind of guy from what I remember. Aleta (Neupert) Amick
JS
Jeanne (Deden) Slusher, friend of Susi
Other •
For always treating me as part of the family, especially when I didnt have one of my own.
AH
Angie Haller
Other •
Am thinking of you. I remember your wedding day up at Norwalk. And the fun dancing. Take care of yourself. We were so young. Angie haller from Baraboo.
BF
Badger Honor Flight
Other •
On behalf of the Badger Honor Flight Board and all our volunteers, we extend our deepest condolences to you all, the family of Donald Ewelt. We are forever thankful for his service to our great country. What an honor it was to take him on his “Trip of a Lifetime”. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
MD
Mary (Felber) Duer
Other •
Thank you being God Father and supporting my faith! It was so nice to see you and Shirley in Seward, Alaska when we lived there! Many memories of when we were kids and Kathy would come to visit! 1st communion!

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