Donald O. Lekie, 86, of Medford, passed away on Saturday,
June 13, 2020 at Care Partners surrounded by family under the care of Hope
Hospice.
Donald was born on October 31, 1933 to Otto and Ruth (Dodge)
Lekie in Beloit. He moved to Medford with his family to farm and attended Medford
Schools. He returned to Beloit where he met his wife, Martha Palubinski. He
enlisted in the Army and was stationed in Maryland, where he married Martha on
September 15, 1955. They returned to Medford, where he worked in factories and
owned a company whitewashing barns and cleaning veal barns.
In his spare time he enjoyed raising homing pigeons,
fishing, hunting, trapping, golf, weekend road trips with his family, and
spending time with his grandchildren and wife at Hultman Lake. He was also a
boating safety instructor and 4-H woodworking leader. He also enjoyed going to
Country Fest with Martha and traveling to Canterbury Racetrack to watch horse
racing.
Donald was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He is
survived by his wife, Martha, children, Ronald (Kris) Lekie of Owen, Timothy
(Leeanne) Steckhan of Portland, OR, Daniel (Colleen) Lekie of Plymouth, Steven
Lekie of Medford, and Kathryn (Paul) Ustianowski of Medford; 13 grandchildren;
6 great-grandchildren. Donald is further survived by his siblings, Richard
(Bettie) Lekie of Medford, Bonnie Olson of Stetsonville, and David (Lynnette)
Lekie of Las Vegas, NV and many other family and friends.
Donald is preceded in death by his parents; infant son,
Jeffery; brother-in-law Jack Oleson; grandson, Travis.
A private family service will take place and a Celebration
of Life will be held at BS Bar on Friday, June 19, 2020 from 4:30 PM until 8:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations in Donald’s name may
be made to the Taylor County Veterans Memorial Wall.
Hemer Funeral Home of Medford and Rib Lake have been
entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences can be left at
www.hemerfuneralservice.com
