Donald Kullerstrand

Kullerstrand, Donald OREGON Donald Smith Kullerstrand, age 81, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008. He was born on Aug. 18, 1927, in Chicago, Ill., the son of Rudolph and Helen Kullerstrand. Don grew up during the depression and said he felt fortunate that his father, a car dealer, always had a job. He graduated from Morgan Park High School in 1945. Don served his country in the U.S. Army for two years in Korea. He was united in marriage to Marge Terry. On Dec. 26, 1946, he found his lifetime calling as a wonderful loving father, when his daughter, Ginny, was born. Don and Marge parted amicably after three years of marriage. He liked to walk around downtown Chicago, go people watching and visit Navy Pier with Ginny. Don worked in downtown Chicago as a cab driver, soda maker, factory worker and had other odd jobs after serving in the military. One day he had an inspiration that he could offer more to this world and decided to follow his dream of becoming a doctor. He attended University of Illinois at Navy Pier and graduated from University of Illinois College of Medicine in 1961. Following a blind double date set up by their roommates, Don met and subsequently married Evelyn Knoke on March 1, 1961. Then in their mid 30s, they decided it was not too late to have a family and had four children within six years. After an internship in Milwaukee and OB/GYN residency in Detroit, Mich., Don and Evelyn settled in the Green Bay area because they thought it would be a great place to raise a family. Don had a strong faith in God and belief in Jesus as his Savior. He was a member of Voice of Faith Church in Green Bay. Donald worked as an obstetrician in Green Bay at Webster Clinic and eventually opened his own practice. As a solo practitioner, he delivered nearly all the babies of his patients, no matter what time or day of the week. He considered it a privilege to deliver each of his patients babies. Don was one of the first obstetricians in Green Bay to encourage fathers in the delivery room and Lamaze childbirth. He also encouraged mothers to breastfeed their babies when bottle feeding was the norm. Don and Evelyn helped start the Green Bay chapter of LaLeche League to promote and support breastfeeding in the mid 60s, when the benefits of breastfeeding were not widely understood. He counseled his patients on family planning. Despite pressure and the promise of a lucrative future, he declined the opportunity to provide abortions and helped counsel single mothers and helped them find the resources and support they needed to be good parents. Don loved spending time doing building and landscaping projects and remodeling his home on the Fox River in DePere. He was a hard core do-it-yourselfer and self taught carpenter, but enjoyed using his very own concrete mixer most of all. His festive Christmas decorations were a welcoming sight for his kids coming home for the holidays. He was a skilled sailor and loved sailing his boat on Green Bay and Lake Michigan. Don placed a high priority on education and taught his children to value school and to always do their best. He volunteered as a Boy Scout leader and led the DePere Dickinson Elementary School Mardi Gras Spring fundraiser for 10 years. Don loved his Great Pyrenees dogs, Bonnie, Glacia and Cleo and doted on them after his children were grown. After his retirement in 1992, he and Evelyn moved to Madison to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Don and Evelyn joined All Saints Lutheran Church in Fitchburg. He became involved in Badger Kennel Club and dog shows. Even after moving to Madison, he remained a devoted Packer fan. Don was always excited to spend time with his grandchildren and made the best open faced peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and chocolate malts. He always had time to read a book to a child. Don will be remembered as a gentle and loving father and husband, who always modeled compassion and kindness to his family. Don is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Evelyn; three daughters, Ginny Kullerstrand, Laurie (Norm) Richard and Susie (Tim) LeBrun; two sons, Scott (Diane) and Jim (Ellen); 12 grandchildren, Nicole, Sean, Jesse, Erik, Emily, Ethan, Elliot, Alex, Nina, Maddie, Paul and Matthew; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Bert, who died in the line of duty during World War II; and a grandson, Derek. Funeral services will be held at ALL SAINTS LUTHERAN CHURCH, 2951 Chapel Valley Road, Fitchburg, at Noon, on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008, with the Rev. Richard Johnson presiding. Inurnment will be at a later date in DePere. Visitation will be at GUNDERSON OREGON FUNERAL HOME, 431 Soden Dr., Oregon, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008, and at the church from 11 a.m. until the time of the service on Thursday. Donalds family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to the wonderfully devoted nurses and caregivers at Oregon Manor and Main Street Quarters (especially, Kristi, Vanessa and Tracey) for attending to his every need the last three years. Also, to the VA care team led by Dr. Barczi, Lori Jensen, Drs. Krishnamachary and Saad for their outstanding care and dedication.