Donald L. McGowan

Donald “Don” Leroy McGowan, 90, passed peacefully on February 13th, 2025.

He was born July 25th, 1934 at his grandparents house in Hilbert, WI, to parents Thomas and Clarinda (Behnke) McGowan.

Don leaves behind his wife of 28 years, Kathy (Heath) McGowan, son Donn, daughter in law Patty (Opsteen), granddaughter Carly (Alex) Minten, special buddy Pussycat; and his sisters Debbie (Tony) Sonnleitner and Sharon McGowan. Further survived by Kathy's family, son Michael (Cheri) Heath, granddaughter Rachel (Chase) Kelly, great granddaughter Chloe, and expected baby girl. 

Preceded in death by his parents, wife of 32 years Carol (Jesse) McGowan, daughter Dawn (Dan) Fischer, sister Vilma Keller, and brother Rodney McGowan.

He was a proud Army and National Guard veteran, volunteering later in life with the DAV as the district commander and adjutant for the Shawano County DAV post 22, chaplain for the Wisconsin DAV, and the DAV representative and activity facilitator at the King Home for Veterans. He enjoyed driving for the Disabled American Veterans transportation network, transporting veterans from the Shawano area to the Milwaukee, Green Bay, and Appleton VA centers. 

Having reportedly been working since he was 13, Don’s tenure included working as the town of Harrison Constable and Health Officer, Wisconsin state meat inspector, owning McGowans Farm Meats with his son Donn, and serving as the President of SAABA (South Appleton Area Business Association) among other occupations. Active in the meat industry for most of his life, he traveled to Russia, Poland, and Jamaica to teach meat industry standards. 

A profound bullshitter and prolific storyteller, there is no place or name in the Valley that he didn't know or have a story about. He loved to fish, putter around on his Bobcat (his baby), and rebuild old cars. He owned and restored several antique cars including a 1917 Overland purchased and displayed by the Henry Ford museum. As a member of the Upper Mississippi Valley Willy's Car Club he went on many adventures around the country with his wife Kathy, participating in conventions.

Kathy, Donn, and Patty would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to the staff at Edenbrook of Appleton for their exceptional, loving care in making Don comfortable in his last days; and to Unity Hospice for assisting all of us with Don's transition to a better place.

Please join the family to celebrate Don's life at Wichmann Funeral Home 527 N Superior St, Appleton WI 54911, on February 20th, visitation 4-6pm with service to follow.  In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the King Veterans Home or to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), an organization Don was very passionate about and actively involved with.