Donald J. Rostowfske, age 81, of Palmyra, passed away Friday, Aug. 9, 2013.
He was born on Dec. 24, 1931 in Whitewater to parents Julius and Sophia (Mallvitz) Rostowfske in the home of his grandma Mallvitz.
He married Ruth Rowley on June 26, 1952 and they had three sons and were divorced in October 1984. He shared his last 22 years with special friend Judy Smith.
Don went to Ward School, a one-room schoolhouse on Highway 67 through eighth grade and Whitewater City High School until graduation in 1949.
He started his career as a depot agent for Chicago Northwestern Railroad from 1950 to 1959. From 1959 to 1968 he went to work for Northwest Airlines in Madison as a ticket agent.
In 1963 he started selling insurance for Rural Mutual part time, and started his own insurance agency in 1964. In 1968 he partnered with Ted Pertzbom to form Don & Ted’s Insurance and built a very successful independent insurance business in Stoughton until retirement.
Don worked hard and lived a very active life. He loved his family, rural life, traveling, motor home touring, house boating on the Mississippi and snowmobiling, wherever there was snow. He was a very generous father and grandfather that provided great opportunity for his entire extended family.
Don is survived by special friend Judy Smith of Palmyra; sister, Marian (Gerald) Pontel of East Troy; three sons, Bruce (Jackie) of Edgerton, Mark (Cheryl) of Stoughton, and Brad (Cathy Reilly) of West Bend; ex-wife, Ruth Rostowfske of Stoughton; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his father, Julius in 1971, his mother, Sophia in 1995, and one brother who died at birth.
A memorial service for Don will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2013 at Millard Community Covenant Church, N6713 County Road O, Elkhorn. The Rev. Lyle Heinitz will officiate. Visitation will take place from 5 p.m. on Wednesday, until the time of service at the church. Private interment at a later date at Hillside Cemetery in Palmyra.
Memorials to Rainbow Hospice would be greatly appreciated.
For online guest registry, visit haaselockwoodfhs.com.
