Don Bell Obituary, Death – Donald J. Bell, 91, died peacefully on December 3, 2022, at Froedtert West Bend Hospital, surrounded by his loving wife and family. Don Bell was born on August 30, 1931, on the family farm in Saukville to Fred and Clara (née Van De Boom) Bell. In 1949, he graduated from Port Washington High School. Don proudly fought in the United States Army during the Korean War from 1952 to 1954. On November 11, 1953, he married his beloved wife Eileen (née Fehring) at Holy Angels Church in West Bend. Don was a devout Christian and loving family man who treasured his time with his loved ones.
His wife, Eileen, and he had seven children. Eileen, his devoted wife of 69 years, survives him. He is also survived by devoted family members: Kurt (Sarah) Schellinger (son of Marjorie Schellinger); granddaughters Emmy (Andy Lutz) Waldhart, Claire (Dan) Leischer, and David (Marisol Brost Goines) Waldhart; Gordon (Rhonda) Bell and grandchildren Spencer (Katie) Bell and Leah Bell; Ann (Joe Sikorski) Bell and Sesha Bell; Alan (Sharon) Bell, grandchildren Patrick Bell, Nicholas (Katie)
Abigail, Sophia, Aiden, Gia, Addison, Maclin, Elling, Dominic, Gemma, Philomena, Cordelia, Theodore, Madeline, and Xander are among Don’s great grandchildren; brothers Gerald (Marcella) Bell and Glenn (Kathi) Bell; son-in-law Charles Schellinger; and many more family and friends. His parents, Fred and Clara Fehring; his in-laws, Arthur and Anna Fehring; his sisters Elvera (Norbert) Berend, Eileen (Harry) Brabender, and Gladys (Foster) Braby; and his in-laws Lorraine (Elmer) Thill, Ann Thill, Arthur Jr. (Virginia) Fehring, Norman (Leora) Fehring, Oscar (Grace) Fehring all died before
Don spent eleven years as the Superintendent of Wissota Sand & Gravel before starting his own firm. He and Eileen established Cedar Lake Sales in the family homestead’s barn in 1968. Don projected that the company would soon exceed the barn, thus Cedar Lake Sales relocated to its current home in West Bend on June 13, 1969. Don always said he leapt from the frying pan into the fire when asked how he got the company started, but he knew it would be a success when his father, Fred, acquired the first Simplicity lawn tractor. Despite the numerous hours and hard effort that went into getting the company up and running, it wasn’t all work and no play, especially when it came to selling snowmobiles and boats! Trips to Post Lake for snowmobiling and fishing, as well as boating on Little Cedar Lake, are among my favorite recollections. Under his guidance, Cedar Lake Sales developed and prospered, and his sons, Alan and Brian, are carrying on Don’s outstanding heritage today.
He adored people and was an excellent seller. Don was the type of man who had no idea of a stranger because they were his friend right away. He was also an accomplished storyteller and comic. Don enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, mushroom cultivation, making wine (his own private label), and displaying his creative talents (ahem) as a self-taught architect, engineer, carpenter, mechanic, and electrician. He was always eager to assist anyone in need, especially his children. Sitting at his card table and giggling while he won your nickels at sheepshead or sunk you at cribbage was a joy.
Don and Eileen’s affection shone through as they danced together. The waltz and polka were two of their favorite dances, and it was a thrill to watch them glide about the dance floor with such grace. Don and Eileen cherished their trips to Acapulco, Mexico City, West Yellowstone, and Hawaii. One of his proudest achievements was co-founding Rabbits Unlimited Ltd., a non-profit organization dedicated to raising cash for MS research and aid through the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. He has raised over $750,000 in the past 21 years to battle MS, the disease that killed his son and daughter.
A Christian burial Mass will be performed at St. Frances Cabrini, 1025 S. 7th Ave., West Bend, WI, on Monday, December 12 at 3:30 p.m. From noon until 3 p.m., the church will be open to the public. On Tuesday, December 13, a private burial will take place. Dr. Gary Herdrich, for his many years of excellent care and friendship; Jared, Kandace, Mary, Gwen, Shannon, Sandy, Hana, Dr. Olafsson, Dr. Taha, Dr. Jordan, Maggie RPh; and Horizon Hospice nurses Kim and Rachel. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to St. Frances Cabrini or Rabbits Unlimited Ltd., P.O. Box 80184 Saukville, WI 53080, rather than flowers. (All money will be donated to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.)