Donald Tucker

Donald Gene Tucker, 98, of Wausau, WI, passed away on Monday, March 25, 2024 at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, WI with family by his side.

He was born April 24, 1925, in Stillwater, Oklahoma, the son of the late Marion and Flora Tucker. On February 14, 1953, Don married Mary Ann Koscik, whom he met while the two worked together at Nordberg Manufacturing in Milwaukee, WI. Mary said that initially she only saw his flamboyant signature and decided to find out to whom it belonged. They went on to enjoy each other’s company for 57 years until Mary’s passing in 2010.

Don graduated from High School in Chickasha, OK, class of 1943 and then attended St. Vincent college at Latrobe, PA, as a pre-cadet in the U.S. Air Force. The years of 1943-1946 were spent in the 15^th U.S. Air Force which served in Italy and other parts of Europe. Don held the rank of Second Lieutenant and proudly served as navigator on a B-24 bomber. During his retirement years he was able to join a 2010 Honor Flight to Washington D.C. which he greatly enjoyed.

After the war Don attended the University of Cincinnati where he graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1951. He went on to enjoy a long career managing manufacturing operations at companies including Nordberg Manufacturing, Barber Greene, and J.I. Case in both Iowa and Wisconsin. He loved the challenges that manufacturing presented and was clearly proud of the roles he held along the way.

During his early retirement years, Don enjoyed traveling with Mary, golfing with friends and family and gathering with his men’s weekly coffee group. He also loved to gather with his children and grandchildren with whom he was always very generous and helpful in so many ways.

Survivors include his sister Geneva Jamison, Little Rock, AR; his three children: Thomas (Lois) Tucker, Onalaska, WI; Jane (Gary) Mauss, Lino Lakes, MN; Larry (Tiffanie Stasiak) Tucker, Denver, CO; his seven grandchildren: Jennifer Tucker, Cottage Grove, MN; Melissa Love, New Hope, MN; Lauren (Brandon) Hanson, Elkhorn, WI; Carlie (Brandon) Ness, Saint Peter, MN; Aaron (Stephanie) Mauss, Circle Pines, MN; John Tucker, Denver, CO; Alex Tucker, Denver, CO. He also had eight great-grandchildren: Lydia, Grace and Sophie Muyanja; Emelia and Liam Ness; Garett and Nora Hanson; and Elizabeth Mauss.

Don and Mary will be laid to rest together within the Memorial Chapel at Restlawn Memorial Park in Wausau, WI. A celebration of life is currently being planned. We will make that information available at a later date.