Donald E. Stowell, age 90, of Yuba passed away on Thursday Nov. 13, 2014 at Meriter Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin.
He was born March 23, 1924 at home in Yuba, the son of Elgin and Agnes (Jindrick) Stowell. Don was a 1942 graduate of Richland Center High School. He farmed all his life on the family farm in Yuba.
Don joined the Yuba Fire Department at the age of 18 as a volunteer where he remained for 41 years, 15 of which were as fire chief. He retired in 1986. He was a director, inspector and adjuster for the Henrietta Greenwood & Union Insurance Company for 55 plus years. He bowled at Township Bowl for many years, one of which he bowled at Nationals in 1969.
He was the secretary and treasurer for the Yuba Telephone Company prior to being on the Vernon Telephone board of directors for 12 years. For 36 years he was the Department of Natural Resources Fire Warden. He was an appointed deputy sheriff for Richland County and served as the Constable of Yuba. Don loved playing cards and Mexican Train, deer hunting as well as being a devoted Green Bay Packer fan.
Don was very proud of his Czech heritage and proved it by serving as Cesky Den King with his Queen and wife, Alice, in 2010. He loved being able to have a conversation with someone speaking Czech.
Don was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Alice of Yuba; three children: Allan (Lynn) Stowell of Yuba; Warren (Frankie) Stowell of Hillsboro; Rachel (Frank) Smith of Hillsboro; nine grandchildren: Tammy Laridaen, Casey Beecher, Dillon Stowell. Jamie Berg, Becky Hooks, Patte Michalek, Jillian McDonough, Katie Gerhards, Brenda Smith; 11 great-grandchildren: Connor & Lauren Laridaen, Braydon & Kobe Beecher, Hayley Berg, Lauryn & Kaylee Hooks, Zander Michalek, Alex & Margo McDonough, Ansen Gerhards; one brother: Duane (Carol) Stowell of Huntley, Illinois; three nieces and a host of relatives and friends.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, Nov. 21, 2014 at 11 a.m. at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Hillsboro with Father Don Bauer officiating. Visitation is at the Picha Funeral Home in Hillsboro on Thursday from 4-7 p.m. and at the Church on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass.
The Picha Funeral Home in Hillsboro is assisting the family. For online information go to www.pichafuneralhomes.com
