Donald Tech was born in Manitowoc, WI to Elmer and Christine (Gutknecht) Tech on August 25, 1931. At Lincoln High School in Manitowoc, he excelled at football and was named to the Wisconsin North-South High School All Star Grid Classic Squad in 1948. He graduated in 1949.  He received a football scholarship to the University of Wyoming in Laramie and was on the Cowboy's team at the Gator Bowl in 1950. He graduated in 1954 with a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering.

Don took part in the ROTC program in college. He was commissioned in the U.S. Army after graduation and served for two years. He was honorably discharged as a First Lieutenant. Don went to work for Peter Kiewit and Sons as an engineer and worked in the Black Hills and the surrounding area. Some of his projects included the construction of Interstate 90 and Highway 44 through the Black Hills, the Minuteman Missile sites, and the runway at Ellsworth Air Force Base.

During the summer of 1957, Don met Mary Blair, the love of his life. Together they raised four children in Sturgis. Don and Mary started Bear Butte Implement in 1960, and Key City Auto Supply in 1963. Upon their retirement, they wintered in Lake Havasu City, AZ, from 1999-2007. They enjoyed many hours going to rummage sales with their good friends Nick and Joan Hobernicht. They also had the opportunity to spend the winter holidays with Mary's sister, Evelyn Brown, and her family.

Many people know of Don as a lifetime fan of the Green Bay Packers. But he also enjoyed the great outdoors, camping, fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, and golfing. Many of these activities his children and grandchildren enjoy to this day. Through the years, Don built special bonds with his grandchildren, making time to be with them and letting them get away with almost anything.

In later years, with his declining health, Don was a favorite with his health care teams. He always had a witty comment, never complained, well, mostly never complained, and he so appreciated his children's support and commitment to his health care.

God, in his grace, called Don home peacefully on August 6, 2023. He is finally with his beloved Mary.

Don is survived by his daughters, Anita (Dan) Marler and Judy Tech (Roger Bohnhoff); sons, Bob (Deb) Tech and Dale (Shelley) Tech; grandchildren, Amy (Steve) Berke, Julie (Bryan) Kallenberger, and Grayson Tech; great-grandson, Caleb Marler; great-great grandchildren, Alayna and Carson Marler.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Mary Blair Tech; his newborn son, James; and his parents, Elmer and Christine Tech.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established at Trinity Lutheran Church.

Click on the link to view service folder