Donald P. Harke

Donald P. Harke, 77, of the Town of Belle Plaine, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Appleton. Donald Paul Harke was born March 21, 1945, in Clintonville, son to the late Erich and Hazel (Koeller) Harke. He married the love of his life, Joan M. Drath, on March 15, 1985, at St. Martin Lutheran Church in Clintonville. Don did not let his physical disability get in his way, becoming a welder at Nordberg and finishing his career there in the shipping department. Don loved his job, asking all the truck drivers for hats which he added to his massive hat collection. Don enjoyed fishing, hunting and camping although, most of all, he enjoyed talking and joking with everyone. Don always had a joke for everyone. Don gained two stepchildren at that time and was always there to help when needed. Don and Joan camped all over the state, spending time with family as often as they could. Don is survived by his son, Ron (Kris) Drath, New London; grandchildren, Tara (Mark) Hildebrand, De Pere, Patrick Gorman Jr., Oshkosh, and Danielle Drath, Shawano; great-grandchildren, Jacob and Bradley Hildebrand and Patrick Gorman III; sisters-in-law, Sue (Lalo) Duenes, Seymour, Carol Harke, Clintonville, and Louise Gruentzel, Milwaukee; brother-in-law, Steve (Jodi) Gruentzel, New London; son-in-law, Dean Arndt; many nieces and nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Don was preceded in death by his parents; the love of his life, Joan M. Harke; brothers James, Richard and Thomas Harke; stepdaughter, Kay Arndt; brother-in-law, Robert Gruentzel; and his parents-in-law. Visitation and funeral services will be held at the First Congregational UCC in New London on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, with Joe Gruentzel and the Rev. Steve Savides. Visitation begins at 9 a.m., until the funeral at 11 a.m.. Interment will take place privately at Zion Lutheran Cemetery in the Town of Belle Plaine. The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home and Crematory in Clintonville is assisting the Harke family with arrangements. The family would like to thank the staff at ThedaCare Medical Center-Shawano and ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Appleton. An online guestbook is available at eberhardtstevenson.com.