Donald Parlow

Donald J. Parlow

1938-2024

In a quote from Billy Graham in his later years… “If you hear I’ve died don’t believe it, I’ve only changed addresses”

And so Don changed addresses on Saturday, September 14th, 2024 at 3:17pm.

Don was born in Milwaukee on March 3rd, 1938 to Minnie (Jors) Parlow and John Parlow.  Around 7 years of age, the family moved to Watertown, WI.  He went to Lincoln School and then Watertown High School.  His father passed away when he was 13.  So, Don did not finish High School, which he would have loved to have done.  He went to work to help his mom, which he continued to do until she passed in 1980. 

While in his late teens, he saw a girl he wanted to date. (She really didn’t have any interest at that time.) Yes, he wore her down and on October 8th, 1960 he married his Janie (as he called her) at St. Paul’s Lutheran in Sugar Island.  The world was a bit tumultuous at that time.  The Berlin Wall was becoming a powder keg.  And at the beginning of October 1961, Don was called to active duty with the Army National Guard.  He left several weeks before his oldest daughter, Leila, was born.  With God’s will, the Berlin Crisis came to an end and Don came home in the Summer of 1962 to start enjoying his new daughter.  In 1962 life started taking on a more normal pace and in November 1963 another daughter, named Wendy, joined the family.  Because he and Jane were living in Sugar Island and Don worked at Stoppenbach Meats, the trip to work and back became a grind and they moved the family to Jefferson.  

Sadness struck a few years later with the death of their unborn baby.  Healing for both of them took some time.  However, in 1969, life handed them an infant (Andy) and teenage boy (Carey) to care for while their mother healed from an illness. This period of time created a bond that has lasted to this day. A few years after their departure life changed again and in June of 1973 baby Tanya entered the scene.  The family was now complete.  He was once asked if he missed not having a boy.  Don’s comment was “I wouldn’t trade my girls for anything”. And so it has remained till his change of address.  

Don was a person that could talk to anyone.  They were all friends he just hadn’t met yet.  He loved to make people smile and hugs were a big thing for him.  He could share his faith with anyone.  Don told them of the all health issues he’d had and that anyone of them could have taken his life.  God granted Jane and Don almost 64 years of marriage.  They held each other up.  God has always been the center of their home. 

He enjoyed repairing old clocks for people, which was a trade he learned quite by accident.  His home and his yard were very special to him.  Cutting lawn was something he really enjoyed and was unable to do this year.  Don taught himself many skills and apprenticed with an electrician. He became a “jack of all trades” and taught Jane many things also.  

After 40+ years at “Stoppenbach” Meats, he retired for a little while.  He then picked up a part time job at County Market where he worked until they closed. 

With Don’s change of address he leaves behind his wife Jane Marjorie (Uttech).  His three daughters:  Leila (Jim) Pals-Waterford, Wendy (Stephen) Parlow-Lewein-Jefferson and Tanya (Tom) Stewart-Waterloo.  Seven grandchildren:  Drew Gorman-Oconomowoc, Tyler (Shelbie) Gorman-Madison, Alyssa (Adam) Pals-Madison, Lynzie (Josh) Buol-Janesville, Ciara (Seo) Buol-Janesville, Madalyn Stewart-Madison and Tommy Stewart-Madison and five great grandchildren and 3 step grandchildren.  Also, sisters-in-law Karen Parlow and Fay Eckes.  Special friends and neighbors Barry, Lisa, Mike and Mary and his church family.

He was preceded in death by his Parents Minnie and John, his sisters Delores Powers, Margaret Parlow, Lorraine Schroedl and his brother John Jr. and a niece and several nephews.

A celebration of Don’s life will be held on Friday, September 20, 2024. A visitation will be held from 9:00am –11:30pm at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church – Jefferson with Pastor Raiford leading a service at 11:30pm. 

 Online condolences may be made at www.schneidermichaelis.com