- Donald Strutz, age 93, of Appleton, passed away on August 13, 2016, at Theda Care Medical Center, Appleton.
Donald is survived by his wife: Natalie Doman Strutz; two daughters: Christine Nicholas and Stephanie Manka; sons-in-law Craig Manka and Patrick Nicholas; four grandsons: Brian Garrett, Ryan (Ilona) Huolihan, Matthew (Amy) Vanden Boogart; and Andrew (Kate) Vanden Boogart; and his six great-grandchildren: Shawn, Julia, Addison, Brecken, Harlow and Zachary. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Sally; his parents, Herman and Rose (Horn) Strutz; a brother, Orville; and sisters Leone "Honey" Spude and Eldine Schade.
Don graduated from Appleton High School in 1941, and immediately was employed by the Appleton Wire Works. When World War II started, he volunteered for the Army Air Force. He was a pilot of a B-24 four-engine Liberator and flew missions out of Italy. When he left the service, he enrolled at Lawrence University. He was awarded many honors while at Lawrence and graduated with a B. S. Mathematics Major degree; was fifth in his class, Magna cum Laude. He also earned nine major letters (football, basketball, and golf). After graduation he was selected to be a member of the Lawrence University Intercollegiate Athletic Hall of Fame. Don worked for Appleton Wire/Albany International for his entire business career. He started in Production and his career culminated as Vice President of Marketing - a total of 51 years.
Don loved the out-of-doors and spent much time biking, walking, jogging, golfing and waterfowl hunting. He was a very talented golfer, winning many local as well as national tournaments. Don won four NEWGA "Best Balls" as well as two state Senior Best-Ball tournaments. He had the rare opportunity of playing Augusta National. Don was fortunate to have played with a few of the Tour professionals, including Hall of Famer Lee Trevino. He shot his age or better over 250 times. His lowest score - 63 - was shot twice. Don was proud of his six holes-in-one. He was an excellent bowler, and in 1947 Don won the City Bowling Singles as well as the City Golf Tourney.
He was a member of Butte Des Morts Country Club, Fox Valley Golf Club, Appleton Yacht Club, Phi Delta Theta fraternity, American Legion Post #38, and the Air Force Reserve. He had been Assistant Golf Coach at Appleton North High School's Girls Golf team for five years and assistant coach of Lawrence University's Men's Golf for ten years. In 2011 he was elected NEWGA's Man of the Year.
Don was very, very thankful for his wife of 64 years, Natalie. They had a very good, loving life together and were blessed with three daughters; Christine, Stephanie and Sally. Unfortunately, their daughter Sally died at age 27, but they were thankful for the time and the love they shared.
Funeral services for Don will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 20, 2016, at OUR SAVIOUR'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 3009 N. Meade Street, Appleton, with Rev. Kurt Hoffman officiating. Friends may call at the Wichmann Funeral Home, 537 N. Superior Street, Appleton, on Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and again directly at the church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Appleton. A memorial has been established to benefit the Donald Strutz Scholarship Fund at Lawrence, Our Savior's Lutheran Church Endowment Fund, or the charity of your choice . Online condolences may be offered at www.wichmannfargo.com
Don hoped he would be remembered as a fine person, a Christian, a guy who loved his wife and children, a hard worker, and a good and fair person in all of his involvements.
Published in Appleton Post-Crescent on Aug. 16, 2016
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1923 - 2016 (93 years)
1930 Census
