Don Kanable

Don M. Kanable, age 70, of McFarland passed away peacefully at home on November 27, 2017, after a short but very courageous 3 month battle with lung cancer.

He was special from the beginning when he entered this world on October 31, 1947, to Leon and Bernice (Wilson) Kanable. He was the second of five children and learned much of his work ethic (and stubbornness) from his parents. While he started in Richland Center the family would later move to Brooklyn, WI where his dad was a teacher and his mother worked at the Waterfall Restaurant. Upon graduation from high school he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served in the Vietnam War. Upon his return he met, Patricia (Weitzel) Kanable at a dance and they were married six months later on December 14, 1968. Together they shared 28 years of marriage and produced two loving girls, Nichole and Sarah. Many years after his divorce he crossed paths with a hard-working, spunky, loving, and very kind-hearted woman, Teresa (Campion) Peterson whom he fell head over heels in love with. After 3 years of dating, they were united in marriage on July 3, 2005, and together they would enjoy traveling, taking trips to DeJope (where he always won something) but most importantly they shared laughter and one another's presence and their love could be seen from across any room.

He worked for GM for a short time before starting as an apprentice painter at Klein-Dickert. He left briefly to run his own business, Kanable Painting & Decorating but the majority of his career was spent with Klein-Dickert Inc. During his working years he was focused on being a successful businessman, raising his girls to be the best they could be, coaching their basketball teams and cheering them on in any and every activity they were involved in. His other hobbies included tending to flowers, golfing, socializing with friends and his wife at The Maple Tree or Toby's, or going up north with his buddies, Jack, Tom and Merle but his greatest pride and joy were his kids and his grandkids. He never missed a game no matter what he had going on and his voice could always be heard throughout.

He is survived by his loving wife, Teresa; daughters, Nichole (Ben) VanLanen, Sarah (Tay); his stepson, Steve (Brittany) Peterson; grandchildren, Hayden, Serenity, Rowan, Paxton, Prayli, Octavia and Samuel. He is further survived by his sisters, Beth (Bob) Garvoille, Jane (Bruce) Kanable, Sue (Lyle) Carley, and his brother, David (Penny) Kanable; his mother-in-law, Helen Campion, his brothers and sisters-in-law, Bill (Jane), Paul (Liz), Tom (Diane), Dennis (Lisa) Campion, Rick Negus and Maureen (Jim) Merkatoris as well as many nieces and nephews as well as his special friends, Jack, Merle and Tom. He was preceded in death by his parents; his former wife, Pat; grandson Leland; and his sister-in-law, Kathy Negus.

Private services will be held.

"I am still here"
Just because you cannot see me
Does not mean I am not there
Just because I am in heaven
Does not mean I do not care

I often see you crying
You often call my name
I want to hold you tight
I want to ease your pain

It's easy for me
For I know heaven is real
If you knew the truth
How much better you would feel

One day we will meet again
But only when the time is right
When you step out of the darkness
I will be standing in the light

-Author unknown

Please share your memories of Don at: www.CressFuneralService.com.

Cress Funeral Home
5801 Highway 51
McFarland, WI 53558
(608) 838-0655