Donald D. Aspinwall

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” 

With grateful hearts and abiding faith, we celebrate the life of Donald D. Aspinwall, who was called home to be with the Lord on June 22, 2026.

Don Aspinwall was born on September 28, 1942, in Ironwood, MI, to the late George and Esther Aspinwall. Don was the youngest of their 5 children. Growing up, Don enjoyed all the activities that living in the U.P. had to offer. While in high school, he met the love of his life, Jeanie. One of their favorite places to spend time together was at Little Girl’s Point. They would enjoy walking the cobblestone beach looking for agates, making a driftwood fire, and dreaming about their future together. Don graduated from L.L. Wright High School in 1960. He continued his education at Northland College. In 1964, he graduated with a B.S. degree. On June 27, 1964, Don and Jeanie got married and moved to Wausau.

Don began his teaching career as a Social Studies teacher at John Muir in 1964. In 1970, he made the career choice to work at Lincoln Hills School in Irma, WI. He started at Lincoln as a social worker, but the classroom is where his heart belonged. He loved history and the lessons that can be learned by studying it. He taught history for the remainder of his 29-year career at Lincoln Hills School. Don educated hundreds of youth, bringing the past to life through meaningful lessons, but his true gift was the connection that he was able to make with the youth. He was a trusted teacher, an inspiration to make positive life choices, a confidant, and a person who truly cared about them. Don received many letters from his former students after they left Lincoln Hills. The letters were full of gratitude for having been in his class and the impact that Don had on their lives.

Don and Jeanie raised three daughters. As a young family, they shared many wonderful times in the U.P. They went camping at Lake Superior and Lake Gogebic, snowmobiling, unforgettable days with grandparents, and family trips to Florida, California, and Oregon.

In retirement, Don and Jeanie loved to travel. Don was his own GPS. He knew every route by heart, where the best rest stops were, and which little towns to stay the night. Together they traveled to Florida, Arizona, Laughlin, Las Vegas, New York, Texas, and Colorado. They visited Ground Zero, Ellis Island, and the Rio Grande Valley in Texas. Don was always loving the drive and went wherever Jeanie wanted to go.

After Jeanie died in 2011, Don spent time volunteering in his middle daughter’s 2nd grade classroom. He would teach lessons on history, play card games, show the kids his magic thumb trick, or how he could wiggle his ears. He always drew his famous Snoopy on the board before he left. The students were always so excited for his visits. He enjoyed working with his oldest daughter, making pizzas for the Pizza Kiln, and visiting at the Clay House. He was a professional dough roller. Don assisted his youngest daughter in supporting local and regional cancer awareness efforts. He saw how positivity could grow from adversity. Don also volunteered with the Lions Club and The Never Forgotten Honor Flight for several years.

Don traveled to Montana for sport hunting of mule deer, a fishing trip to Woodland Caribou Provincial Park in Canada, and elk hunting in Idaho. Don was amazed to watch the sheep herder bring his flock of sheep down the road and how the dogs kept them together. He enjoyed going to the D.C. Everest football games and watching Badger and Packers games. He was always ready to play Smear or a competitive game of Doghouse.

His 7 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren adored him. “Papa Jack Hammer” made you feel happy and loved. He was always ready to challenge you in a thumb war, an arm-wrestling contest, or give you a ride on his knee. Don took many day trips to Bay Beach with the grandkids. His favorite ride was the tilt-o-whirl. He always supported the kids in their activities. As the grandchildren got older, he still stayed closely connected. He was a fabulous listener and was sincerely interested in what was happening in their lives. He offered advice in the form of a question because he wanted to guide them, and not to tell them what to do.

Don’s heart was not only filled with love for his family, but also for his pets. Throughout his life with Jeanie, and even after, he loved his dogs. Ellie and Maggie Mae were his companions in the later years. He called them ‘his girls,’ and they kept each other company. He would often chuckle about the howling session the three of them had each morning.

Don is survived by his daughters, Gretchen (Lee) Kluz of Ringle, Sarah (Kent) Kwick of Kronenwetter, and Amy (Steve) Zondlo of Schofield; grandchildren, Brittany (Nic) Lotzer, Paige (Steven) Button, and Hope (Mike) Rebman, Jordan Kwick, McKenzie (Jordan) Baltz and Brandon Kwick and Jack Zondlo; great-grandchildren, Gavin, Emmett, Finnley Lotzer, August Button, Peter and Penelope Rebman and Tennessee Jean Baltz. He is further survived by his brother, Dennis Aspinwall.

He is preceded in death and reunited with his wife, Jeanie Maire (Margetta) Aspinwall; brothers, George and Howard Aspinwall; sister, Marilyn Butson; and special mother-in-law, Gladys Margetta.

Memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, July 20, 2026, at Ascend Funeral Home & Cremation Care, 2809 Jelinek Avenue, Weston. Pastor Lance Hoelscher of Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Weston, will officiate. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM until the time of the service at Ascend.

Don’s presence will be deeply missed. He truly was a ‘seed planter’ and parts of him will live on through us. Anyone who had a chance to know Donald Aspinwall has been truly blessed. As Don would say, “Keep Your Eyes on the Prize.”

Ascend Funeral Home & Cremation Care of Weston is assisting the family. Condolences may be shared at www.ascendweston.org.