Donald Jerry Cwikla, age 77, passed away on April 12, 2025, at home, surrounded by his family under the tender care of Hope Hospice and Aspirus Medford Hospital.
A Memorial Service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at the Maurina Funeral Home in Owen, WI. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until time of service on Wednesday at the funeral home. Father Joe Stefacin will officiate. Military Honors will follow the service at Maplehurst Cemetery with the Owen-Withee Vets Club, Thorp VFW, O-W Legion, and Lublin Post #547. Celebration of life will follow services and Military Honors at the Lublin Legion.
Don was born on January 21, 1948, along with his twin brother, Dan, on the coldest day of the year in Marshfield, WI to Chester and Mary (Sebunia) Cwikla.
Don grew up in the Lublin-Withee area and graduated from Owen-Withee High School in 1967. He then enlisted into the Army in 1967 where he served in Korea and Vietnam until 1970. While in the service he was a dog handler and MP. He was honorably discharged from the Army in May 1970.
Upon his arrival home, he joined the American Legion Post #547 of Lublin, WI and was a member for over 50 years. Don was very active in volunteering to help with the Post and Veterans. While he was a member, he maintained officer positions such as: Chaplin, commander, and most recently membership chair leader. He also belonged to the Thorp VFW Post #9057.
On November 7th, 1970, he married his very best friend and the love of his life, Barbara Halida. They resided in Eau Claire, WI where he was employed at National Presto Corporation and Weston Tractor.
On June 4th, 1970, their son, Otto was born and then they chose to move back to the Withee area where Don was employed at Thorp Lumbar Company. In 1973 they bought the family dairy farm and farmed until retirement. He also established the Maplehurst Meat Plant in 2007. Don welcomed his second son, Jason, born March 1, 1985.
Don is survived by his wife of 54 years, Barbara (Withee), two sons; Otto (Sharon) Cwikla of Lublin and Jason (Nicole) Halida of Withee; Grandchildren: Zach Cwikla of Eau Claire, Brandon (Heather) Cwikla of Medford, Ava, Mae & Jax Cwikla of Lublin, Sidney & Sawyer Halida of Withee; Great-Grandchildren: Dierks & Tae Cwikla of Medford; Adopted Grandchildren: Lynnsie & Benjamin Palmer of Thorp. He is further survived by his Sister, Shirley (Dell) Jordan of Texas; many aunts, uncles, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews. Don loved his dogs, Mittens & Mikey.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, Chester and Mary; in-laws, Stanley & Stella Halida; his sister, Margie; brothers: Paul and Dan (twin); three brothers in-law: (Richard, Jeff, & Jim), Adopted son, Frank Jr. Halida and his best friend, Tommie.
Don enjoyed being outdoors, fishing and hunting and most importantly, cleaning land with his bulldozer and working in the woods. His greatest joy in life was his wife, sons, grandchildren and great grandchildren as he loved them dearly and captured his heart. Family and friends were always welcomed in his house while he watched his westerns.
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