Donald Mraz

Donald Frank Mraz, 92, passed away September 12, 2016 at the Masonic Center for Health & Rehab in Dousman, WI. Don was born August 31, 1924 in Green Bay, Wisconsin and graduated from Green Bay East High School. In 1940 Don was awarded the designation of Eagle Scout He had much pride in the achievement and all that he did to accomplish this. He expected hard work from all. When scouts came to him for help in attaining their badges and expected to get them easily, they found this was not the case! During World War II, Don joined the Navy and served with the Pacific Amphibious Forces as 2nd officer and officer in charge of LCT 829, Leyte Gulf and Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands. He was very proud of his time in the Navy and one of his final highlights was to go to Washington, DC on the April 27, 2013 Stars and Stripes Honor Flight with his son-in-law. He talked about this amazing trip for a long time, especially about all the people that welcomed the flight back to the airport and the little Girl Scout who gave him a box of cookies. Following his active duty naval service, Don attended the University of Minnesota to study Fish and Wildlife Management. It was here that he met the love of his life, Patricia. The two eloped on Nov 5, 1949 and have been married for 67 years. Don would say that Pat was the best catch of his life! He loved her cooking and baking so much that he would say “Why eat out when the food is better at home!” They were rarely apart in their 67 years together, often enjoying a trip to an exotic land. After graduation with his BS degree in hand, Don started his first position in Sturgeon Bay, with the Department of Interior Fish and Wildlife Service. His next position was with the Wisconsin Conservation Department in Madison and then the Fish Hatchery in Delafield. In 1967, Don left the DNR to join the Center for Great Lakes Studies, UW Milwaukee. The careers he held throughout his life showed that he had a love for the outdoors and wildlife. This love was passed on to his six children. Don was an avid fisherman and taught many friends how to fish as well. All of his girls could bait a hook and take a fish off. He was known to bring a bullfrog or two home to his children after work. He was a published author of many articles on fish and lakes. Don enjoyed many projects through his work at UWM Center for Great Lakes Studies from running the floating laboratory,“The Neeskay” (clean water in Winnebago Indian), to finding out why a lake in Yugoslavia was getting deeper. Being on boats was always part of his life, but he would be the first to tell you if it got rough he was the first one with his head over the side of the boat! Another passion Don passed onto his children was that of the Green Bay Packers. He helped his brother, Carl, in the ticket office and enjoyed sharing stories of both the players and fans. On Sundays during football season the entire family would be found in front of the television watching the Packers. He was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Elizabeth Mraz, sister Kay Biwer, and brother Carl Mraz. He is survived by his wife Patricia; children David (Sue) Mraz, Janet Mraz, Barbara Mraz, Nancy (Otmar) Selgrad, Kathy (Matt) Dolliff and Carol (Steve) Gross; 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. We would like to thank the caring staff of The Masonic Center for Health & Rehab and of Allay Home & Hospice. In lieu of flowers, donations to American Legion Post 196, Christ The King Lutheran Church, Three Pillars (Masonic Center for Health & Rehab), or Stars and Stripes Honor Flight would be appreciated. A memorial service will be held for Don on Friday, September 16, 2016 at 12:00 PM with a visitation for family and friends starting at 10:30 AM all to take place at Christ the King Lutheran Church (1600 Genesee Street Delafield, WI). Military Honors will take place at church after the service.