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Taylor, Donald E.

Donald E. Taylor, 92, an uncommonly good and gentle man, passed away on Tuesday, August 25 at ThedaCare Hospital, New London following a brief illness.

Donald was raised on the family farm located on the shores of Taylor Lake in Waupaca on July 29, 1928. Spending his youth in Waupaca, Don graduated from Waupaca High School where he met the love of his life, Isla Mae Friberg. They were married on June 21st of 1952 while Don was attending the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Upon graduating, Don served in the U.S. Army before beginning his first teaching job at Seymour High School where he taught Biology and Earth Science. During this time, he and “Izzy” began their family with sons, Scott and Craig. Don attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison earning a Masters Degree in Counseling and Guidance in 1958. The family moved to Appleton in 1960 where Don began a 33 year career as a Guidance Counselor at Appleton West High School. Dad greatly enjoyed working at “West” while making a contribution to the lives of many students. Not uncommonly, he’d be stopped in public by apparent strangers who upon introduction turned out to be former students taking a moment to express their gratitude for his concern and advice given years earlier. The Guidance Department at West was a lively bunch and dad thoroughly enjoyed working with his counterparts, many who became lifelong friends. Dad truly was the best father one could ever hope for. He spent an enormous amount of time with his boys and we loved every minute of it. We hiked, canoed, camped, fished, hunted and immersed ourselves in the outdoors with dad. In the process, he became our lifelong best friend and companion. Later in life, dad gave his boys an amazing lesson in determination, perseverance and love as he provided years of selfless care for our mother as she struggled with illness.

Donald was preceded in death by his wife, Isla Mae and parents, Floyd and Arlene Taylor. Survivors include a sister Judy (Robert) Pautz, Kaukauna; sons, Scott (Terri) Taylor, Waupaca and Craig (Susan) Taylor, Neenah; grandchildren: Kelsey (Jack) Quarton, Mahtomedi, MN; Kyle Taylor, Silverthorn,e CO; Christopher (Crystal) Taylor, Neenah and Andrew (Rosie) Taylor, Minneapolis, MN along with great-grandchildren, Calvin, Jackson and Lucy.

Due to current health restrictions, a private family service will be held. In lieu of flowers, a donation in memory of Donald to Nature Conservancy would be appreciated. Brettschneider-Trettin-Nickel Funeral Chapel in Appleton is handling the arrangements.

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