Haven, Donald

Other Events:

• Obituary: 19 Jul 2010; Appleton Post Crescent

Notes:

Obituary:
Donald Haven, 96, Middleton, passed away Thursday, July 15, 2010, at his home. He was born on July 15, 1914, in Chicago, Ill., the son of Charles and Alfreda (Cotton) Haven. Donald was married to Ruth J. Stilp on May 7, 1949, in Neenah, Wis., and she preceded him in death. Don grew up in Shorewood, Wis., and received a degree in Accounting from the University of Toledo. After getting his CPA and working for an accounting firm in Chicago, he wanted to start his own business and moved to Neenah to open an accounting firm with his childhood friend Don Garlock. As the business grew, a second office was opened in Oshkosh, Wis., and he moved there with his family. Later, John Schatz joined the firm and it became Haven, Garlock and Schatz CPA. Near retirement, the firm was sold to Clifton Gunderson and Associates. Don happily retired in 1979.
Some of the childhood memories dad shared with us were spending summers near Hayward, Wis., at a family resort (Lakeland Lodge) on Lost Land Lake, during the Depression helping his dad in their basement working on his invention, which later became known as Thermopane Glass, swimming everyday in the summer when living in a small cottage on Oyster Bay, NY, just down the road from where Teddy Roosevelt had lived (and had a tonsillectomy done by Teddy's doctor) and selling their house in Lynbrook, NY, with an "electric refrigerator" his dad had installed (his dad designed and developed the first home refrigerator).
His happiest time (and ours) was living on Lake Winnebago in Oshkosh, swimming, fishing, having bonfires, watching the storms roll in from the front porch and the ice shoving in the winter, taking long boat rides to Neenah, across the lake to High Cliff and up the Wolf River to New London, teaching us to water ski and always taking us whenever we wanted (even at 6 a.m. when the water was like glass), watching the fireworks from our boat, entertaining family and friends and having his daughter Margaret's (Peepers) wedding and reception there.
Other things he loved to do were both tent and trailer camping with several trips to California, duck hunting on Garlock Island, deep-water fishing and dove hunting in Costa Rica. After retiring, he and Ruth were able to do a lot of traveling. But his biggest joy by far was his beautiful wife and our mom Ruth. We saw how loving and happy a marriage could be. They knew how to have a lot of fun and really enjoyed life with each other.
Dad, you were our rock and gave us strength. Like Mom, you have always been there for us. Thanks so much!
He is survived by his children; Greg Haven of Madison, Mark Haven (and his partner Vincent DiCamillo) of San Francisco, CA, Joan Haven of Madison, Margaret (Roman) Hiebing of Madison; a granddaughter, Laura Rose Hiebing of Madison; and his nephew, Walter Haven of Milwaukee. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Ruth, and a brother, Charles (Suzanne) Haven.
Funeral services will be held at DALE HEIGHTS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 5501 University Avenue, Madison, Wis., at Noon on Thursday, July 22, 2010,with Rev. Marilyn Gamm presiding There will be a visitation on Thursday, July 22, from 11 a.m. until time of service at the church. Burial will be in Valhalla Cemetery in Milwaukee at a later date.
Gunderson West Funeral
& Cremation Centers
7435 University Ave.
608-831-6761
www.gundersonfh.com

Donald married Stilp, Ruth 7 May 1949, Neenah, Winnebago, Wisconsin, USA. Ruth (daughter of Stilp, Carl S. and Tuchscherer, Margaret M.) was born 7 Feb 1923, Neenah, Winnebago, Wisconsin, USA; died 30 Jul 2004, Middleton, Dane, Wisconsin, USA. [Group Sheet]