Douglas Theodore Daechsel, former Fennimore resident, died May 30, 2018 at the age of 97. At the time of his death he was living in Lakeville, Minnesota.
Doug was born September 26, 1920, in Aberdeen, Saskatchewan, Canada, the eldest son of Rev. Carl and Elizabeth (Ihrig) Daechsel. He graduated from Luther College in Regina, Saskatchewan, and began working with O.K. Economy Stores in various small towns. In 1947 he accepted a call by the Lutheran Church to help rebuild their mission field in Papua New Guinea. There he worked as the business supply manager, first in Lae and later Madang, at the central Mission Supply House, which provided support to the outstation missionaries.
On August 31, 1948, he married Doris Diemer, a missionary nurse from Richfield, Iowa, in Lae. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to Madang where they lived until their return to Canada and the United States in 1968. While in New Guinea, they had four children – Donna, Dawn, Darlene, and Daniel.
The family moved to Fennimore in March, 1970, when Doug took over the administration of the Good Samaritan Nursing Center until his retirement in 1990. He worked actively in his community and church, including involvement with Kiwanis, The Depot Exchange, and the Seminarian Assistance Fund. He worked with other local volunteers for Hurricane Relief in 1992 (Florida) and in 2005 (New Orleans). Doug enjoyed travelling and had many self-taught hobbies including woodworking, painting, and wine making which remained his favorite till he left for Lakeville. He was a regular for “Morning Coffee” at Hardees and truly enjoyed being part of the Fennimore community.
He is survived by his children Donna (Robert) Smallwood of Irma, Alberta, Canada; Dawn (Euan) McLean of North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Darlene (Delmer) Schnuelle of Granite Bay, California; and Daniel (Karen) Daechsel of Lakeville, Minnesota. He also leaves behind his grandchildren Craig, Chelsea and Caitlin Smallwood; Brynna McLean; Nicole and Brandon Schnuelle; and Grant and Brianna Daechsel. Also surviving is his brother, Luther Daechsel and in-laws Gerhardt and Joan Diemer, Ken Diemer and Doreen Daechsel. He was predeceased by his wife, Doris; granddaughter, Lauren Daechsel; and four of his siblings.
A Memorial Service is scheduled for noon on Monday, July 9, at St. Peter Lutheran Church. Interment at Prairie Cemetery will be followed by lunch and fellowship at St. Peter Church. In lieu of flowers, Doug would have asked that donations be directed to one of his special charities such as Seminarian Assistance Fund (send to St. Peter Lutheran Church, 1075 Adams St, Fennimore, WI 53809), Lutheran World Relief (https://lwr.org/donate/where-needed-most), or a charity of your choosing.