(262) 653-0667
3016 75th Street, Kenosha, WI 53142
Donald Moehrke, son of Bernard and Bernice Moehrke, brother to James Moehrke and Gail Saulys, uncle to Kim Rhine, Janise Saulys and Joseph Saulys, passed away on September 13th, 2024, from a sudden illness.
Don is preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Bernice and his brother James.
Don was a man who did not listen when the word “never” was used. When he was born the doctors said he would never live. Don defied the odds and did live.
The doctors said Don would never stand or walk. Once again he refused to listen to the word “never.” Don did stand and walk after his grandfather designed and built a walker in which Don could stand and walk during his pre-school ages.
Next the doctors said he could never go to school because his disability was too great. Don proved the doctors wrong again, first attending Jane Vernon elementary/secondary school. Then graduating from Temper High School, then graduating from Parkside University, and finally graduating from Carthage College earning his Master’s degree.
He was the told he would never get a job teaching. Again, Don proved to the doubters that he did not believe in “never” and started teaching at Bradford High School as a math teacher for many years. He would also tutor students in his home. At least twice a week there would be a student and Don sitting at the dining room table going over algebra, trigonometry and/or geometry. Even after his retirement students would call and ask Don to help them with their math. His door was always open to any student who needed extra math tutoring. However, the most important lesson he ever taught was to us, his family. He taught us the “never” is to always be ignored, because when we ignore it we could accomplish anything.
Don’s love of music was only exceeded by his love of sports. All his life he was an avid sports fan. The Cubs, Brewers, and Packers were his favorites. Don was a living sports computer and could recite the stats on all his favorite and opposing teams and players. He would also know the personal stories behind the players and was happy to share his knowledge with his many friends and family.
Don was the president of the Cerebral Palsy Organization for many years. His advocacy for handicap accessible entrances resulted in the public buildings in Kenosha installing accessible entrances and automatic doors for people in wheelchairs and walkers.
We would sincerely like to thank all the staff at The Legacy at St. Joseph’s for their care and love they showed to Don during the last years of his life.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Mon - Fri: 8AM - 4PM
(262) 653-0667
3016 75th Street, Kenosha, WI 53142
Tanya Koscinski says:
So sad to see that Don passed. He was my favorite teacher many years ago at Bradford. My sincere condolences to the family.
Jeff McCauley says:
A good man. Deserving of every ounce of respect he is given.
“One of the blessings of the gospel is the knowledge that when the curtain of death signals the end of our mortal lives, life will continue on the other side of the veil. There we will be given new opportunities. Not even death can take from us the eternal blessings promised by a loving Heavenly Father.” – Joseph B. Wirthlin
John Musser says:
Don was a good man. My memories of him were as a student, a colleague, and as a friend. He had a wonderful attitude and was an inspiration. May he rest in peace!!
Joyce Hui says:
I was blessed to meet Don at The Legacy at St. Joseph’s. In no time he became my friend. His kindness and respect of others will be something I will never forget. Visiting with Don always left me with a feeling of gratitude, reminding me to thankful for everything! Remembering Don makes me smile and I thank God for his friendship!
Kerry says:
I met Don during his last year of life when I was helping out at St. Joseph’s. While our time as friends was short, Don made a huge impression on me, as he did on everyone who knew him. He was smart, kind, generous, patient (oh, so patient), and had a wonderful sense of humor. I miss him very much and am very grateful for everything he taught me.
Tim Tower says:
Mr. Moehrke was a remarkable human being. He taught students to accept all people. He taught me to push myself and see people for who they were. I continued after high school to see Mr. Moehrke to see him at bucks games when I worked at the Bradley Center. A true inspiration for sure.
Carolyn Miller says:
I met Don when I was in Jr High at McKinley. His sister was a very good friend of mine and of course I got to interact with Donny. I ran into him many times over the years it was as though I’d seen him yesterday. My heart goes out to Gail as she (like me) is now the only one left. RIP Donny.
Ken Labbe says:
A giant of a teacher if there ever was one. He will be missed
Melissa Roach Zievers says:
I met Don years ago through his cousin and always enjoyed his story telling. Always saw him at Sunnyside….good times.
Marianne Moehrke Reber says:
My Grandfather August and Don’s Grandfather William were twin brothers. I am the keeper of family records for the Ralph Moehrke branch of this large family tree and came upon the news of Don’s passing only by happenstance. My sincerest condolences to his entire family. Don sounds like he was a true inspiration and role model. May he rest in peace.
Malachi “Mickey” Gutierrez says:
My sophomore year 92-93 I believe is when I had the privilege to be in Mr Moehrke’s Algebra class, he pushed me to learn . Thanks to Mr. Moehrke I was able to overcome obstacles that I didn’t think I could. Even in life I used his “Never” is not in our vocabulary mantra to succeed in Life. God surely blessed us to have had Mr Moehrke be part of our lives. I hope that more teachers would be inspired by his perseverance to succeed and the love of teaching. He will be Missed. Again Thanks Mr Moehrke for teaching me!🙏✝️
David Lauer says:
Don was one amazing man. I will always cherish the memories of helping him into our big Oldsmobile station wagon to go to our face-to-face Stratomatic Baseball League games. A much-loved math teacher by my kids! Rest in peace, Don. You made the world a better place by proving all those early naysayers wrong!