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Donald Battenberg Obituary
Johnson Creek, WI - Donald "Don" Battenberg, 90, of Johnson Creek, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 2 at Rainbow Hospice Inpatient Center.
He was born on September 7, 1934 in Manitowoc, WI to the late Jay Donald and Bernice (Gilbert) Battenberg. He was the valedictorian of the 1952 graduating class of DePere High School . He then went on to earn his bachelor's degree in Chemistry and Education at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. After college, he enlisted in the United States Army and served in Germany for two years.
He began his teaching career at Springman Junior High in Glenview, Illinois in 1960 where he taught Social Studies and French. It was there he met another beginning teacher, Carol Swanson. Don and Carol were married in 1962 and spent the next 62 years together. He earned a Master's degree in Educational Administration from Northwestern University and became the principal of an elementary school in Glenview and then returned to Springman Junior High as the principal. Deciding that he missed and enjoyed teaching, he accepted a teaching position at Riverside Middle School in Watertown. Soon he was selected as the Director of Project BRIGHT which developed programs for gifted students. At the conclusion of this program, he served as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction for the Watertown Schools. He then accepted the position of principal of Johnson Creek High School . He went on to be the Director of Big Brothers/Big Sister in Jefferson County and served on the Jefferson County Literacy Council and the Johnson Creek School Board. When he retired, he frequently tutored and mentored students in Johnson Creek and Lake Mills. He never met a kid he thought was a lost cause nor did he ever give up trying to help and guide a student towards a successful and happy life. His work with troubled young men inspired him to tutor, mentor and befriend inmates at the Jefferson County Jail .
Don and Carol and their young family moved to Wisconsin in 1971 where they purchased a small farm in Milford and never lived anywhere else. Don was an avid gardener, planting and maintaining vegetable and flower gardens that were large and greatly admired. He enjoyed mowing the lawn and ridding the pastures of thistles. Later he used his John Deere tractor as his transport around the farm to get the mail, go to the various outbuildings and to check all fences.
A life-long Packer fan, he recounted stories of the early days of the Packers when he and his brother went to player practices. If they didn't have tickets and were brave enough, they crawled under the fence to watch the game. He loved to reminisce about Packer players who occasionally roomed at their home in DePere. Recently we recorded the games and watched them on game day and again the following day.
Don is survived by his wife of 62 years, Carol; his children Jody (Steve) Knoebel of Helenville, David (Shelly) Battenberg of Clintonville, Steven (Debbie) Battenberg of Reeseville; grandchildren Jessica (Tyler) Wellsandt, Lindsay (Eric) Baneck, Libby (Ryan) Hafften, Morgan (Blake) Persha, Emmet Battenberg , Jacob (Emily) Battenberg, Ashley Battenberg, Samantha Battenberg and Andrew Battenberg.; four great grandchildren nephews , nieces and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Jay Dee Battenberg, sister-in-law Peggy Battenberg, brother-in-law Jim Swanson.
Raised in the Christian Science faith, Don followed the principles and beliefs of Christian Science throughout his life. He used the powers of love and mind over matter when met with problems and life's challenges.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Lake Mills United Methodist Church, 271 East Prospect, Lake Mills on Saturday January 11, 2025 with visitation from 9:30 - 11:00 with the service to follow at 11:00 A.M. Lunch will be served in the Fellowship hall of the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Don's name may be made to the Johnson Creek Education Foundation or the charity of your choice.
www.claussenfuneralhome.com
He was born on September 7, 1934 in Manitowoc, WI to the late Jay Donald and Bernice (Gilbert) Battenberg. He was the valedictorian of the 1952 graduating class of DePere High School . He then went on to earn his bachelor's degree in Chemistry and Education at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. After college, he enlisted in the United States Army and served in Germany for two years.
He began his teaching career at Springman Junior High in Glenview, Illinois in 1960 where he taught Social Studies and French. It was there he met another beginning teacher, Carol Swanson. Don and Carol were married in 1962 and spent the next 62 years together. He earned a Master's degree in Educational Administration from Northwestern University and became the principal of an elementary school in Glenview and then returned to Springman Junior High as the principal. Deciding that he missed and enjoyed teaching, he accepted a teaching position at Riverside Middle School in Watertown. Soon he was selected as the Director of Project BRIGHT which developed programs for gifted students. At the conclusion of this program, he served as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction for the Watertown Schools. He then accepted the position of principal of Johnson Creek High School . He went on to be the Director of Big Brothers/Big Sister in Jefferson County and served on the Jefferson County Literacy Council and the Johnson Creek School Board. When he retired, he frequently tutored and mentored students in Johnson Creek and Lake Mills. He never met a kid he thought was a lost cause nor did he ever give up trying to help and guide a student towards a successful and happy life. His work with troubled young men inspired him to tutor, mentor and befriend inmates at the Jefferson County Jail .
Don and Carol and their young family moved to Wisconsin in 1971 where they purchased a small farm in Milford and never lived anywhere else. Don was an avid gardener, planting and maintaining vegetable and flower gardens that were large and greatly admired. He enjoyed mowing the lawn and ridding the pastures of thistles. Later he used his John Deere tractor as his transport around the farm to get the mail, go to the various outbuildings and to check all fences.
A life-long Packer fan, he recounted stories of the early days of the Packers when he and his brother went to player practices. If they didn't have tickets and were brave enough, they crawled under the fence to watch the game. He loved to reminisce about Packer players who occasionally roomed at their home in DePere. Recently we recorded the games and watched them on game day and again the following day.
Don is survived by his wife of 62 years, Carol; his children Jody (Steve) Knoebel of Helenville, David (Shelly) Battenberg of Clintonville, Steven (Debbie) Battenberg of Reeseville; grandchildren Jessica (Tyler) Wellsandt, Lindsay (Eric) Baneck, Libby (Ryan) Hafften, Morgan (Blake) Persha, Emmet Battenberg , Jacob (Emily) Battenberg, Ashley Battenberg, Samantha Battenberg and Andrew Battenberg.; four great grandchildren nephews , nieces and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Jay Dee Battenberg, sister-in-law Peggy Battenberg, brother-in-law Jim Swanson.
Raised in the Christian Science faith, Don followed the principles and beliefs of Christian Science throughout his life. He used the powers of love and mind over matter when met with problems and life's challenges.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Lake Mills United Methodist Church, 271 East Prospect, Lake Mills on Saturday January 11, 2025 with visitation from 9:30 - 11:00 with the service to follow at 11:00 A.M. Lunch will be served in the Fellowship hall of the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Don's name may be made to the Johnson Creek Education Foundation or the charity of your choice.
www.claussenfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by Daily Jefferson County Union from Jan. 10 to Jan. 11, 2025.
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Claussen Funeral Home - Lake Mills416 W. Lake St., Lake Mills, WI 53551
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