Donald P. “Don” Remaker

Manitowoc – Donald P. “Don” Remaker, age 82, of Manitowoc, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at Holy Family Memorial Medical Center, Manitowoc.

Don was born August 2, 1938 in the Town of Franklin in Manitowoc County, son of the late Raymond and Evelyn (Bergel) Remaker. He was a graduate of Mishicot High School with the Class of 1956. Don was united in marriage with the former Judith A. Jagemann on November 21, 1959 at Holy Innocents Catholic Church, Manitowoc. After graduation he worked at Mirro and in 1960 went to work for Jagemann Stamping Company, retiring as Customer Service Manager in 2000.

Most of all, Don loved spending time with his family chatting, laughing, and sharing a meal. He taught religious education classes at Holy Innocents in the 70’s, he was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, the Lakeshore Snowmobile Club, and for many years worked with his Mishicot High School classmates on the class reunion committee.

Don had a special fondness for Christmas time. He was often referred to as “Mr. Christmas.” Throughout the year he would make Christmas ornaments to use and give away. Immediately after Thanksgiving, decorating for Christmas would begin. Just one Christmas tree was never enough. It wasn’t uncommon to find trees in every room of the house and every space decorated, much to the chagrin of his wife. One year there were over 100 trees! He also enjoyed making wine and made thousands of bottles in every flavor imaginable. He loved experimenting, please note: Beet is not a wine! He stored his creations in the impressive 600+ bottle wine cellar he built in his basement. But even more enjoyable than making and drinking his wine, he especially liked giving them away. For many years he hosted the “Redneck Rendezvous & Wine Tasting.” Who wouldn’t want to sample and guess a dozen different flavors of homemade wine and shoot at ornaments on a spinning Christmas tree in the middle of summer? BB’s were everywhere!

Don was a creative craftsman and enjoyed carpentry. He was always tinkering in his workshop, building pull-toys, snowmen, and a variety of creations to give away the following Christmas. He loved remodeling and transformed his 100+ year old log farmhouse into a gorgeous home. Not one room escaped his talents. Add a bathroom or 2… done. Move the kitchen to the living room… no problem. He readily and eagerly shared his skills and knowledge with his children, grandchildren, family and friends. If anyone needed a hand, he’d be there happy to help!

Don loved animals of all kinds, except the skunk invasion, and liked feeding and watching the birds and critters from the sunroom. He always asked how the grand-dogs were doing, sometimes before saying hi to the humans, and made sure to pass a hug along to the dogs that weren’t visiting.

With Don you needed to be careful what you say, if you said you liked something, he just might give it to you and tell you to take it when you leave. It’s no wonder his heart stopped beating. He gave so much of his heart to others, it had just plain run out. He truly was a treasure that will be missed by all.

Survivors include his wife: Judy Remaker, Manitowoc; his five children: Todd (Candy) Remaker, Manitowoc; Shari (Ron) Stegmann, Two Rivers; Scott Remaker, Manitowoc; Tracy Remaker (Mike Reel), Mishicot; Tori (Gary) Zipperer, Manitowoc; eleven grandchildren: Krystal Remaker (fiance Allen Vandertie), Nik (Amber) Remaker, Nathan (Erin) Remaker, Kathryn Remaker, Evan Remaker, Max (Tami) Maigatter, Trudy (Andy) Duprey, Hannah Strauss (special friend Elliot Shaw), Jake Zipperer (fiance Lauren Preston), Carlie (Barry) Hartman, Caitie (Nick) Tomassucci; eight great grandchildren: Gavin & Ayden Remaker, Theo Remaker, Maxwell & Grant Maigatter, Cason & Rorik Hartman, Eugenie Tomassucci; one sister: Barb (Earl) Griffin, Valders; two sisters-in-law and a brother-in-law: Dorothy Dicke, Nancy Jagemann, Ron Pautz; all of Manitowoc; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Don was preceded in death by his parents: Raymond & Evelyn Remaker; father-in-law and mother-in-law: William & Ethel Jagemann; brother and sister-in-law: Harold & June Remaker; sisters and brothers-in-law: Maryann & Norman Mathiesen, Dorothy & Al Leischner, Jessi Pautz; and other in-laws: Bill Jagemann, Frances Jagemann, Florence & Bruce Pelletier and Bill Dicke.

Cremation has taken place at All-Care Cremation Center, Manitowoc and a Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 27, 2021 at the Pfeffer Funeral Home, Manitowoc. Officiating at the service will be Deacon Rich Bahnaman with burial of Don’s remains to take place at Knollwood Memorial Gardens, town of Kossuth, following services.

The family will greet relatives and friends at the Pfeffer Funeral Home on S. 14th Street, on Saturday, February 27, 2021 from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the services at 11:00 a.m. The service will be live streamed on Lakeshore Family Funeral Homes Facebook page. You don’t need to be a member of Facebook to view the live stream.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting www.pfefferfuneralhome.com

In Lieu of flowers, donations in Don’s name may be made to St. Vincent de Paul, Salvation Army, or a charity of your choosing.

Don’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the First Responders and entire medical staff of Holy Family Memorial for their care and kindness to him and the family.