Donald J. 'Don' Waldschmidt, Hays
Donald J. “Don” Waldschmidt, 80, Hays, died Thursday, August 10, 2023 at HaysMed and after over 70 years will once again be united with his father.
He was born December 2, 1942 in Hays, the son of Peter C. and Barbara “Barb” (Kisner) Waldschmidt. Don was the oldest of five children and known as “Pete’s Shadow.”
In 1961, Don graduated from St. Joseph’s Military Academy and attended Fort Hays State University.
He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and a former member of the Victoria St. Fidelis Third Degree Knights of Columbus.
On October 26, 1963, he was united in marriage to Diane M. Roth at St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Don was a cement truck driver for Hunter Construction and worked as a shift manager for Cross Manufacturing, Hays International Mailing Services/Alaniz and Sons, and Hadley Hospital/HaysMed. Don enjoyed hog farming in Munjor for 14 years before moving to Hays 1989, but always said the best job of his life was at Wyndam Place when Diane was the manager and he did maintenance work.
Don enjoyed woodworking using skills passed down from a family of woodworkers and after retirement researched family genealogy and history, calling it Unser Leit Genealogy. Most of all, he loved his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife Diane of Hays, two sons, Don Waldschmidt II and wife Lisa of Gorham and Doug Waldschmidt of Mesa, AZ, a daughter, Darcy Wellbrock and husband Glenn of Wichita, a brother, Greg Waldschmidt of Kansas City, two sisters, Virginia Kasper of Olathe and Barbara Sanborn and husband Les of Hutchinson, ten grandchildren, Dave Wellbrock and wife Jessi, Amber Wellbrock, Ashlenn Wiltcher and husband Brandon, Eustacia, Vashti, Jada, Asher, Radiah and Zaide Waldschmidt, and Joshua Waldschmidt and wife Alexandria, five great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, JoAnn Schmidtberger and husband Verlin, and his brother-in-law, Jim Kasper.
Mass of Christian Burial will at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Fr. Richard Daise officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 on Tuesday and from 9:00 a.m. until 9:45 on Wednesday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. A vigil service and rosary will be at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to FHSU Foundation for the Timothy M. Roth/Humburg Scholarship.
Condolences and memories of Don may be shared with his family at www.haysmemorial.com.