DONALD C. LINK

Donald C. Link, 84, of Caledonia, died peacefully, Friday, June 25, 2010 at Caledonia Care and Rehab in Caledonia. He was born March 5, 1926 in Crooked Creek Township, Houston County, to Gregor and Bertha (Theobald) Link. Don served in the U.S. Army in the aftermath of WWII, being stationed in Japan for a time. Following his military service, he went into the road construction business with his two brothers, Cletus and Terry. After a short time he decided to enter into farming with his father. Farming turned out to be just the right occupation for him. He loved all types of animals and always took very good care of his livestock and pets. Don so looked forward to each spring...not so much to put an end to winter, because he enjoyed the winters too, but because he loved to till the soil and plant. He was well known to have one of the largest and best manicured vegetable gardens in the valley. While continuing to farm, he also began another full time job as a roofer for Ledegar Roofing in LaCrosse, WI. He was happy to operate the hot-tar kettle from the ground, while the other men worked on the roof. Don preferred to stay on the ground because he said the work was harder and the sun was hotter on the roof. As a younger man, Don loved deer hunting. but later in life he stopped hunting, because he said the deer were too pretty to shoot at anymore. But he always had a great love of the outdoors, and never tired of just taking in the beauty of the bluffs which surround his beloved Crooked Creek farm. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Caledonia. He is survived by 2 sons, Thomas Link of LaCrosse, and Nicholas (Elaine) Link of Freeburg; 5 grandchildren, Danny, Laurie, Victoria, Harley and Greg; 3 great grandchildren; a sister, Mary (Francis) Bruening of Freeburg and a brother, Terry (Frances) Link of Onalaska. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Daniel, 2 sisters, Lois and Barbara, and 2 brothers, Cletus and an infant brother. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 am, Tuesday, June 29, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 453 S. Pine St., Caledonia. Father Gregory Leif will officiate and burial with military honors will be at St. Nicholas Cemetery, Freeburg, following the funeral lunch at St. Mary's. Friends and family may call from 6 to 8 pm Monday, at Holy Family Hall, next to St. Mary's, where a prayer service will be at 7:30 pm. Visitation will also be from 9:30 to 10:30 am Tues. morning before the service at the church. The family requests monetary donations be given to LaCrescent Animal Rescue in lieu of flowers. Don would sincerely thank you for this. McCormick Funeral Home, Caledonia is assisting the family.

DONALD C. LINK

March 5, 1926 - June 25, 2010