Donald Hinderholtz

CALEDONIA - Donald Hinderholtz, was born in Racine on February 5, 1929 to the late Frank and Jule (Jardney) Hinderholtz. He passed peacefully at his home in Racine on Sunday morning June 14, 2015. Don would always say that life was not a dress rehearsal, so you better give it a good spin. He surely gave it a good spin! He was an adventurer, fun seeker and world traveler, but never without a reasonable plan. He served in the U.S. Army from September 1946 to February 1948. He spent time in Korea during that enlistment and was later re-activated for further military service from December 1950 to November 1951. He loved animals and was particularly fond of dogs and horses. Don was a City of Racine Fire Fighter from 1953 until 1960 and then again from 1964 until a disability forced his retirement from the department in 1978. During his working years he also had a passion for driving trucks. He drove locally for Elsmo Trucking, Western Printing, and J.I. Case and also drove his own rig as an independent steel hauler. He was resourceful, creative and courageous in any endeavors he pursued. Don loved his children and was particularly involved in their lives during their time in the Racine Kiltie Kadets and Kilties where he volunteered to drive bus and chaperone for large numbers of teenage children. He and his wife, LaVerne loved to travel throughout both the U.S. and overseas. Over the years their quest for adventure took them to Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Gibraltar, Australia, England, Scotland, Ireland, Canada, and a boat trip on the Black Sea, Russia. He enjoyed an annual summer camping and canoe trip to northern Wisconsin with family and friends for more than 30 years. As the group matured, they became known as the “Candy Ass Canoers”. He realized his dream of doing the Great Loop when he bought a Chinese Junk in 1988. Over the next two years he sailed from Chicago to Bimini in the Bahamas. Don is survived by his partner in adventure and wife of nearly 64 years, LaVerne Hinderholtz (Kane) and his three children Rich Hinderholtz, his wife Jane (Bylsma), Mariann Hansen, Tom Hinderholtz, Granddaughters Ali and Emily Hinderholtz and Great Granddaughter Holly Rose Hinderholtz-Stern. He is also survived by his older brother Gerry Hinderholtz and his beloved Grand Dog “Charlie”. Funeral services will be held at Sturino Funeral Home on Thursday, June 18, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. There will be a visitation at the funeral home on Thursday from 5 p.m. until time of service. Don will be laid to rest at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

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Donald Hinderholtz

February 5, 1929 - June 14, 2015