Donald Panoch dies at 73

Donald Panoch, age 73, of Fredericksburg, passed away on Monday, June 26, 2017 at Good Samaritan Society in West Union.
Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, July 3, 2017 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Lawler, with Father Kyle Digmann celebrating.  Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery with Joe Scholbrock, James Panoch, Gary Panoch, Mike Panoch, Mitchell Crema, Jeff Zahasky, Chuck Kellogg, Lee Panoch and Dana Blong serving as casket bearers.  Honorary casket bearers will be Hunter Panoch, Michelle Tschida, Denise Streich, and Marylou and Chuck Kellogg.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, July 2, 2017 at Conway-Markham Funeral home in New Hampton, with a rosary at 3:45 p.m. and a Scriptural Wake Service at 7p.m. and visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the mass on Monday.  Memorials may be directed to the family.  Online condolences  for Donald’s family may be left at www.conway-markhamfh.com.
Don was born on August 8, 1943, right before his twin brother, Ron, to W. Joseph (Joe) and Rose Ann (Bilek) Panoch in Cresco.  Don had two sisters and five brothers, together they all helped on the family farm.  Don was raised on different farms in the Cresco area.  He attended country schools in Howard County and later New Hampton High School.   Don married Shirlee J. Mitchell on August 21, 1964 and they later divorced.  Don also farmed near North Washington, until 1970.  He started working for John Deere in Waterloo, on January 2, 1963 as a skilled machinist .  He opted for early retirement at the age of 50, after serving John Deere for 30 years, retiring on January 31, 1993.  Don helped several local farmers in the field during planting and harvest time.  Don was a volunteer fireman and was a member of the Drift Runners snowmobile club and UAW of Waterloo.
Don loved his family and his home that they built in Fredericksburg.  He always did his own auto repairs for his family and friends.  His hobbies included, working on cars in his garage, hunting and fishing with family when the kids were younger, and working in the fields.  The last seven years with his debilitating health issues you could always find him at home watching sports, especially the Green Bay Packers.  He enjoyed watching the kids play outside and getting on and off the school bus.  He also kept track of the squirrels and rabbits that visited his yard.  He will always be remembered for his quick wit and stories.  He enjoyed spending time with family and friends. 
Don is survived by his former wife, Shirlee Howe of New Hampton; loving children William “Willie” Panoch and special friend Denise Streich of Milltown, Wisc., and Brenda Panoch and special friend Jeff Zahasky of Calmar; grandchildren Mitchell A. Crema and special friend Sarah Keys of Davenport, and Hunter W. Panoch of Milltown, Wisc; siblings Joseph Panoch of Postville, Ray (Carol) Panoch of New Hampton, and GiGi Wollenberg of Rochester, Minn; sister-in-law Nancy Panoch of Boca Raton, Fla; brother-in-law Merle Blong, Winona, Minn. and several nieces and nephews.
Don is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Rose Ann Panoch; brothers Leland and Ronald; sisters Rosemarie Blong and Lorraine Scholbrock; sister-in-law Jane Panoch, and brothers-in-law Marvin Scholbrock and Norman Wollenberg.