Donald P. Shook
Donald P. Shook
Donald P. Shook peacefully left his earthly home to join his beloved wife Verna on December 14, 2013, with his loving family by his side. Don was born November 27, 1922 in Ft. Atkinson, WI, the son of Paul M. and Harriet Quentmeyer Shook. He attended Hoard Grade School, Emery Jr. High and graduated from Ft. Atkinson Sr. High School in 1940. On March 28, 1942 he married Verna M. Klement, his high school sweetheart, at the home of her parents on Sherman Avenue in Ft. Atkinson. Don was inducted into the U.S. Military at Ft. Sheridan, IL in January, 1943 and served his country in WWII as an Instrument/Scout Corporal for the 10th Mountain Division, Battery B, 604 Field Artillery. He received 2 Bronze Battle Stars and the Purple Heart for action in the Italian Campaign and was honorably discharged in November 1945. Don returned home to Ft. Atkinson, where he and Verna resided until 1958. In that year, Don became the supervisor of the drafting department at Wisconsin Electric Power and the family moved to Racine, WI. Avid campers, Don and Verna became very familiar with the Baraboo area during visits to Devil's Lake State Park and the Double KD Campground. In 1967, they purchased a home in Fairfield Township outside of Baraboo, where they resided until 2012. Don was a devoted husband and father, dedicating his life to providing for them. He instilled great values in his family, respected each member of the family for their individual personality and attributes, and always provided thought provoking insights, advice, and encouragement in every situation. Don always looked for the positives in every situation, despite facing numerous medical obstacles throughout his life. He was a "Don of All Trades", enjoying a variety of employment opportunities such as short order cook, linoleum mechanic, bookkeeper, bank teller, insurance agent, production control clerk, electric utility supervisor, utility equipment salesman, furniture refinisher, manager of farm cooperatives and general contractor for rebuilding their Fairfield property after the fire in 1999. Always active in the community, he was a member of several service organizations, including Life Membership in the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Disabled American Veterans. He was a Past Chef De Gare of the 40 and 8 Chapter in Ft, and, Golden Kiwanis and a Salvation Army Bell Ringer and a past member of the Baraboo Elks Club Lodge 688. He enjoyed an abundance of hobbies; an avid bowler, golfer, fisherman, outdoorsman, gardener, artist, woodworker, daily solver of crossword puzzles and reader. Don and Verna spent many years dancing the night away together at a number of different venues including the Labor Center in Racine, the Elks Club in Baraboo and at numerous other events such as the wedding dances of their children and grandchildren. The family spent many years traveling to the Klement cottage on Big Bearskin Lake near Minocqua and camping in different areas of WI and the U.S. After retirement, their travels always included an annual trip to Florida to visit their daughter Franki. Their own backyard also served as a campsite for family and friends each summer. Everyone enjoyed the outdoor pool, games of football, softball, horseshoes, croquet and campfires, complete with pudgy pies and roasted marshmallows. He and Verna were wonderful hosts to family and friends. In 1994, they found the perfect campground along the White River Flowage near Wautoma, WI. Once their children and families discovered that same gem, it became a family affair every summer. Don was always glad to be surrounded by his family. Over the last few years, he stated many times that he was happiest when his family was around him, especially his 4 daughters. His bucket list over the past months included a trip to North Carolina in May with Donna & Steve to visit granddaughter Jamie, husband Michael and grandson Steven J., weekend outings all summer long to the lake with Franki, Bonnie, Donna, grandchildren, extended family and friends and once-a-month outings to the Madison Symphony Orchestra with Bev. The grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren lit up his world as well. Don is survived by his daughters, Bonnie Hibner, Francine Schneider, Donna (Steve) Elliott, and Bev Shook, 13 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and 8 great-great grandchildren along with many other relatives and friends. Don was preceded by the love of his life Verna, sons Richard and Chuck, grandson Joshua, his parents, in-laws, two son-in-laws, David and William, along with other relatives. A celebration of Don's life will take place on Saturday, December 21, 2013 at the Redlin Funeral Home, 401 Madison Avenue, Baraboo, WI. Services will be at 3:30 p.m. with Rev Bill Harris and Rudy Wegert co-officiating. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. and last until the time of service. Military Rites will be conducted by the Baraboo Veteran's Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Don's name to People Helping People (PHP), Second Harvest, the Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund's Heat for Heroes Campaign or any other charitable organization. The family would like to send a very special thank you to the staff of St. Clare Hospital, HHU Hospice, Dr. Edwards, and everyone involved in the wonderful care Don received.