Donald Dietrich

Donald Dietrich, a wonderful man born in Green Bay on June 1, 1918 passed away at the age of 97, on Feb. 27, 2016 at St. Nick Hospital. Don lived a long and interesting life. He was smart as a whip and had a memory like an elephant to the very end. He always had an answer for your question or a solution to your problem. As a young man he developed a lifelong interest raising and training pigeons. This hobby led him into a job serving in Army Intelligence using carrier pigeons to deliver messages. When he returned from the Army he worked briefly for Terrys lunch across the street from a Packard car dealership. Don was always interested in cars so when the dealership dissolved, he stepped in and started Dietrich Motor Sales. This became the go-to place in Sheboygan for decades if you wanted to buy a used car or just stop in and talk about pigeons. He kept at least 200 pigeons in several coops behind and on the roof of his car lot. At the age of 35 he finally found the love of his life and married Janice Morken. They were blessed with two sons and together as a family loved to travel mostly to California visiting numerous relatives that lived there. His two sons spent their childhood and early adult years "hanging out" and being put to work at the car lot. While Don was always looking for business opportunities, he and a small group of investors built Town Country Golf Course. Don loved to talk and make deals working into his early 70s. Finally retiring he continued to privately buy and sell cars out of his home. He and his wife Janice began spending the winters in Florida. Every year they packed the car leaving earlier and earlier and returning later and later. Such a kind and generous man, he will be missed along with his entertaining life stories. Donald is survived by a son Larry (Jane) Dietrich, a daughter-in-law Christine Dietrich, and his beloved grandchildren Tori Schoenemann (Edgar), Daniel (Jamie) Dietrich, William (Sara) Dietrich, Brandon (Cassie) Dietrich, Mark Dietrich (Brittany), brother-in-laws Sid (JoAnn) Morken, Andy (Connie) Morken, Aunt Betty Erickson, special nieces Patty Traas and MaryBeth Felsinger. He was preceded in death by his wife Janice in 2007 , his son Mark in 2013, a brother James, two sisters Naomi as an infant and Marcella in 2013, and sister-in-law Corrine (Roman) Pittner. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, March 2, 2016 at 1:00 PM at Ballhorn Chapels 1201 N. 8th St. Sheboygan, with Rev. Greg Whelton officiating. Visitation will be held on Wednesday March 2, 2016 from 11:00AM until the time of service at the FUNERAL HOME. A special thank you to all the wonderful friends, relatives and special caregiver Jody Hildebrand that made Donnys final years so enjoyable for him.