Donald “Donnie” Joseph Blaha, age 62, of rural Hillsboro, WI, passed away Monday Sept. 2, 2013 at home with his loved ones.
He was born in Hillsboro on March 12, 1951 to William and Agnes (Kratche) Blaha. Donnie grew up on the family farm near White City. He attended grade school in White City through fifth grade and then Hillsboro, where he graduated in 1969. He operated the family farm until 1987, also working at Hillsboro Cheese Plant from 1985 to 1995. In 1995 Donnie worked at Rockwell Automation in Richland Center until 2011. During this employment he also worked for the United States Postal Service part time. Most recently he was a full time mail carrier for the Wonewoc Post Office, where those he served awaited his smiling face and wave as he drove by.
Donnie greatly enjoyed spending time with family and friends. His children and grandchildren were the highlight of his life. He loved spending time outdoors, hunting, gardening, morel and ginseng hunting, making maple syrup, and cutting wood. In his early years he enjoyed outdoor photography and later he was the man behind the camera capturing family memories.
Donnie is survived by the mother of his children and companion June Blaha of Hillsboro, his children Brody (Candice) Blaha of Hillsboro; Beau (Kim) Blaha of Soldiers Grove; and Breana (Tyler) Worthington of Tomah, his grandsons Deyton, Maximus, Landen, Carson, Owan, and Benjamin; his sisters, Janice (Brian) Trappe of Madison, and Joann (Dewey) Anderson of Janesville and brother, Francis (Bonnie) Blaha of Hillsboro. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, sister, Mary Ann Fanta, two infant siblings, nephew Daniel Anderson and granddaughter Lillian Blaha.
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2013 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hillsboro, with Rev. Conrad Prell officiating. Burial in the St. John’s Cemetery, Dilly. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 4- 8 p.m. at the Picha Funeral Home in Hillsboro. For online information go to www.pichafuneralhomes.com
