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

Donald B. Ewelt

November 02, 1931 - March 25, 2026

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