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Donald E. Gillitzer

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Submitted by admin on Tue, 09/30/2025 - 13:59

October 13, 1936–September 27, 2025

Donald E. Gillitzer, age 88, of Prairie du Chien, passed away on Sept. 27, 2025, at Bluff Haven in Prairie du Chien surrounded by his family.   

He was born on Oct. 13, 1936, to Robert and Carmen (Campbell) Gillitzer.  He graduated from Campion Jesuit High School in 1954 and then served three honorable years in the United States Navy aboard the USS Essex.   

On Oct. 29, 1960, he married Karolyn Deters at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church in Prairie du Chien. 

Don was a mail carrier for the Prairie du Chien postal service for over 40 years retiring as the rural route 2 carrier.  After retiring from the post office, he worked many years at Cabela’s warehouse retiring as the oldest Cabela’s employee who always showed up early for work.

Don spent many years chasing bass at the River of Lakes Resort and the Ambro/Gremore area with his lifetime good friend and quasi son, Dan Lipke.  Lucky for Dan, Donnie taught him how to catch fish. He also enjoyed hunting ducks and golfing, having served on the PdC Country Club Board of Trustees.

He is survived by his son, Mark; grandsons Daniel (Paige), Nicholas (Jacquelyn), and Andrew and their mother, Susan Gillitzer, who Don loved dearly; great grandchildren Denning, Cooper, and Stevie.   He is also survived by his brother, James Gillitzer, and his sister-in-law, Karen Candra, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.   

He was preceded in death by his wife, Karolyn Gillitzer, on Dec. 7, 2022, and his son, Michael Gillitzer, on Nov. 4, 2022.   

Also preceding him in death were his parents, sister, Roberta Marfilius and her husband, Lyle Marfilius, and sister-in-law, Joanie Gillitzer.

Special thanks goes out to the nursing staff at Crossing Rivers, especially Ariel, Tiffany, and Anna; Dana and her staff, especially Paula, at Bluff Haven Independent Living; and Carly and the St. Croix hospice staff for their special care provided to Don in his last days.

Funeral Services will be Friday, Oct. 3, at 2 p.m. at the Garrity Funeral Home in Prairie du Chien, Fr. Brandon Guenther officiating, with burial in the Bagley Cemetery in Bagley. 

Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from noon until the time of service. www.garrityfuneralhome.com

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