Donald Illgen

Deerfield- Donald A. Illgen, age 86, passed away on Sunday, January 24, 2016. He was born in Sun Prairie on October 24, 1929, the son of Asa and Anna Illgen. Don married Bobbie Eldrige on September 13, 1952. They raised their three children in Deerfield. Don served as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force. He was the Deerfield Police Chief for several years and was a member of the Deerfield Fire Department. Don worked for Madison Kipp Corporation. He enjoyed the simple things in life including bowling, cards, Fox news, the Badgers, the Green Bay Packers, and pitching horseshoes. Don's greatest joy in life was his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loved spending time with them and they loved being with their grandpa. From earlier years of coffee with his police friends to most recent years of pitching horseshoes, Don valued each and every one of his friends as though they were family. Don is survived by his son, Ed (Lani) Illgen of Rockford, IL; daughter, Tracy (Don) Hauf of Cambridge; six grandchildren, Nicole (Jared) Gratz, Megan Illgen, Michael (Meghan) Hauf, John (Rhonda) Hauf, James Hauf, and Donna Hauf; two great grandchildren, Kenley and Cameron; sister, Isabel Fraust; many nieces and nephews; and many friends, especially Don's Horseshoe family. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Bobbie; daughter, Donna; and siblings, Arnold (Edna), Roy (Della), Norris (Agnes), Olin (Yvonne), Lucille (Ted) Knapton, Virginia (Adelbert) Schmitz, and Wayne (Liz) Illgen. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 30, 2016 at St. Paul's Liberty Lutheran Church in Deerfield, with Rev. Holly Slater officiating. Burial, with full Military honors, will follow in Highland Memory Gardens. Friends and relatives are invited to a luncheon, in the church education center, following the burial. Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Friday, January 29, 2016 at Cress Funeral Home in Deerfield, and from 10:00 AM until the time of services Saturday at church. A special thank you to the staff of Lighthouse in Sun Prairie and Agrace HospiceCare Inc., and to family and Don's Horseshoe family for their visits and support. Please share your memories of Don.
Cress Funeral Service
201 Bue Street
Deerfield, WI 53531
(608) 764-5369