Donald Warner

Donald Eugene Warner, formerly of Shawano, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on December 22, 2025 at age 87. Don was born on January 28, 1938, in Burrton, Kansas, the fourth of five children to Ralph Warner and Fern (Barger) Warner. He left Kansas at age eight to live with his maternal Aunt Eunice and his Uncle Edwin Schultz near Cecil, Wisconsin. After graduating from Shawano High School in 1956, Don served in the U.S. Army for three years. He then attended the Milwaukee School of Engineering, obtaining a Bachelor of Science Degree in mechanical engineering in 1966.

Don spent the majority of his career in the paper industry, including 28 years with Kimberly-Clark Corp., starting as a design engineer, working his way up to mill manager, and ultimately retiring as a project manager for capital expansions. His work took him across the country and the world, including consulting stints in South Korea and at several facilities in Canada.

After retirement, Don devoted considerable time to volunteer activities, including acting as a reading tutor in an adult ESL program, as well as spending 10 years with the Shawano Area Food Pantry and Resource Center and several years with Habitat for Humanity in Shawano.

Before dementia fastened its cruel grip, Don enjoyed traveling, reading, doing crossword puzzles and playing golf. He was thrilled to return to Shawano in retirement and loved his home on the Wolf River. He could be seen most days cutting trees for firewood, clearing brush or using his tractor for various outdoor projects. An engineer to the last, he frequently schemed and tinkered to make those projects more efficient.

Don is survived by his wife, Margaret Warner, and five children from his marriage to his late wife Kathleen (Whitehouse) Warner, including daughters Karen Warner, Grafton, WI; Joan (Travis) Dolence, Fargo, ND; and Janet (Dominick) Warner, Tucson, AZ; and sons Stephen (Michelle) Warner, Saint Paul, MN; and John (Sara) Warner, Wisconsin Dells, WI. He leaves 17 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Patricia (Robert) Appel, of Anna, Texas.

Don was preceded in death by Kathy, his wife of 39 years, and by his brothers John Price, Richard Warner and Merle Dean Grimes.

A memorial service for Don will be held at Westgor Funeral Home in Neenah on Saturday, January 3, 2026. Visitation will be from 9:00am to 10:30am with a memorial service to follow. A luncheon will be served at Bridgewood Resort and Conference Center in Neenah following the memorial service. Don will be laid to rest at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Shawano.

In lieu of flowers, kindly send donations to: Shawano Area Food Pantry and Resource Center or Habitat for Humanity of Shawano.

A special thank you to Thedacare Hospice and Valley VNA for their professional and caring staff.