Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 11th, 2025 from 10am-12pm at ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC CHURCH (8500 W. COLD SPRING RD, MILWAUKEE)

Mass will be held on Saturday, October 11th, 2025 at 12pm at ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC CHURCH (8500 W. COLD SPRING RD, MILWAUKEE)

Donald L. Kanter

Donald was born to eternal life on September 25, 2025 at the age of 87 years old. Beloved husband to Mary Ann. Loving father to Phil (Anne), Annette (Robert), Michael (Catherine), Bridget (Brian) and grandfather to Hannah, Joseph, David, Timothy, Grace, Seth, Alexandra, Samuel, Alannah, Kathryn, Christine, James, Maria, Johnathon, Jamison, Lea, Nicholas, Luke, Annika, Thomas, Michael, and Maria.  Don had13 great grandchildren.

Don was born in South Milwaukee and grew up on a farm in Franklin with his parents, George and Alma Kanter, and sister, Betty, who was 18 years older. Don worked side-by-side with his father on the farm, milked  cows and farmed a large garden where they sold produce at the local farmers market and directly to people’s homes. He initially farmed with horses and always had the twinkle in his eye for the newest farming technology……a tractor.  It wasn’t until Don was around 12 years old when his parents bought their first steel tire tractor and Don was in heaven! This probably sparked his love for tractors and specifically John Deere’s.

Don grew up with his sister living across the street on a farm with her large family.  These nieces and nephews were only a few years younger than him and he spoke of many fond memories of playing with them.   They organized baseball games, played in Uncle Bill‘s airplane and found much trouble to be had on 2 farms.  Dad noted that he wanted to play sports in high school, but it was too much of a time commitment considering all the work required on their farm:  A noble choice!

After high school Don eventually started working in the factory at Bucyrus Erie. He met Mary Ann Mack on a blind date and they both enjoyed going to the dance halls throughout the Milwaukee area. They married, bought their first house in Greenfield and built two more homes in Greenfield as well.

Don and Mary Ann enjoyed bringing people together.  Their first home had a backyard swimming pool, which provided hours of fun for the kids, neighbors, and extended family. Don bought a boat where all the kids learned to water ski and spent many weekends at Little Muskego Lake with family and friends.  A camper was purchased with Tom and Bridget Mack where they camped in Hatfield every summer, also bringing other families up to enjoy the campsite and boating.

Don and Mary Ann enjoyed traveling during their many years of marriage, where they went to Miami on their honeymoon, traveled out west, the east coast, Europe, Ireland, and Alaska. Don traveled for his work with Bucyrus Erie, assisting with the service of mining equipment.  His work assignments brought him to northern Canada, South Africa, Chile, Mauritania, and Europe.

Don loved playing cards and hunting, where he regularly played Sheep‘s Head with a lunch group at work, along with a card club of guys or with other couples.  He was proud that most of his grandchildren could play Euchre and Sheep’s Head!  He went deer hunting with his brothers-in-law and children, along with pheasant hunting trips to South Dakota.  He even took a few fishing trips to Canada.

With 22 grandchildren, Don also enjoyed all the grandchildren’s activities. He traveled to see their plays, concerts, and sporting events.  Don easily attended hundreds of sporting events.  He was ever so proud of the accomplishments of his grandchildren and bragged about them every chance he could.  Whether they were in Christian ministry, special needs education, military service, the medical field, the tech industry, engineering careers, the business and finance world, technical music industry or barreling down the entrepreneurial business path, he encouraged them, asked them many questions about their endeavors, and gave advice or a history lesson where ever he could.  He was an amazing historian and did not seem to forget much in that realm!!

Don Kanter bled green!  He attended Greendale High School, lived in Greenfield, his last residence was in Greenville and thoroughly loved John Deere (green) tractors. His other love and pride was Bucyrus Erie where he worked for 43 years. He had a deep pride for the manufacturing of large mining equipment, loved the camaraderie of his co-workers, playing in golf leagues, handball at the Bucyrus club and entertaining at his home.  Don regularly kept in touch with his coworkers and almost monthly attended the retiree, Old-timer’s luncheon at the Bucyrus Club, even attending on the day he passed from this world!

It is safe to say that his greatest joy the last 4 months was the many visits from the professionals at St. Croix Home Hospice!  The nurses, CNA’s, massage therapist, doctor, and social worker all were so kind, loving, helpful and accommodating!  They spent extra time with him talking about their lives and family, his life and family, and addressing his every need or request.  Dad was such a social guy and they indulged him as he become more frail and home bound.  They truly uphold the dignity of human life in the end of life realm!  Don truly appreciated all you did for him (especially you, Tonya) and so did his children and grandchildren.  Thank you and God bless you!