Donalyn "Don" Ray Unke

Unke, Donalyn Ray Donalyn Ray Unke, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2015. He was preceded in death by his parents, Marguerite and Raymond Unke. He is survived by his wife, Joyce; children, Barry (Jennifer), Brett (Joyce Jr), Kellie (Mike) and Kristina (Ron); grandchildren, Daunte, Jeremiah (Shannon), Jennifer (Andre) and Kaitlyndh (Steve); sisters, Carol (Elgin), JoAnn (John); and many nieces and nephews. Don was born in Arlington on the family farm Aug. 17, 1932. He was baptized at the Arlington Methodist Church where he and his family were active members for many years. Don attended elementary school in a one room school house on the Arlington prairie and graduated from the Lodi High School in 1950. After high school, he remained on the family farm working with his father and extended family. Don met his wife when she accompanied his sister, Carol home from college. They were wed in Bensenville, Ill., in 1958. Leaving the farm in 1969, Don began a successful venture into the restaurant business in downtown Lodi. For many years the "Downtown Cafe" was a well-established venue for good food, community gatherings and all the local information not fit for print. He later owned and operated the Hardware Hank store in downtown Lodi, followed by a sales career in agriculture machinery and seed corn. In his later years, Don enjoyed driving trucks for Lodi "Idol" Canning Company and driving school bus and interacting with the children of his community. His greatest enjoyment was to transport the sports teams from Lodi High School all over the state. Don was a member of the Lodi Volunteer Fire Department, Rotary, chartered the AFS program in Lodi, City boards and eagerly supported the Lodi Ag Fair (including mowing the grounds). Don and his family became active members of the United Methodist Church where he shared his love for music. You could hear his beautiful tenor voice in the church choir, barbershop quartets and the shower. His love of music also extended to instrumental contributions. Don enjoyed playing Cornet with the "Soon To Be Famous Lodi Band" as one of the traveling Lodi minstrels entertaining Southern Wisconsin, playing from their converted hay wagon at festivals and in parades. More than anything, Don loved his wife, children, grandchildren and extended family and friends. He was never far from his beloved community, he loved his hometown, Lodi. Don was often called the "Mayor" by his children's friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Don's name to the Lodi EMS, Lodi United Methodist Church, The Lodi Ag Fair or REACH OUT LODI Center. There will be a celebration of Don's life with Fellowship on Monday, Aug. 24, 2015, from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at LODI UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 130 Locust St., Lodi, with a service at 6 p.m. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson Lodi Funeral & Cremation Care 157 S. Main Street (608)592-3201