Donald Sauer

Donald “Don” Sauer of Port Washington passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, June 18, 2021, at the age of 89 years.  

He was born June 26, 1931, in Port Washington, the son of Norbert and Hulda (nee Dommer) Sauer.  

He was a graduate of Port Washington High School, Class of ’49, and later graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Graduate School of Banking.

Don served in the U.S. Army in Germany from 1951 to 1953.

Mr. Sauer began his banking career at Port Washington State Bank, working from June 1949 until November 1951. After returning from his service in the Army, he began working at 1st National Bank in Port Washington, where he worked until March 1995, then returned to Port Washington State Bank from April, 1995 until retiring in January 2016 — a total of 65 years in banking.

On June 18, 1955, Don married Alice Moy at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mondovi, Wis.  Alice preceded him in death on Feb. 7, 2007.

Together, Don and Alice visited 63 countries on six continents as well as all 50 states. Don and Alice were well known on the square dancing circuit and both enjoyed water skiing.  

Mr. Sauer was a lifelong member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Port Washington, where he served as treasurer of the congregation for 50 years. He was also a member of the Van Ells-Schanen Post 82 American Legion and Rotary International, where he served as a past president and treasurer of the local club and district treasurer for many years. He was also a Paul Harris Fellow.

Don always enjoyed working with people. He served on the Port Washington Plan Commission for a year and on the city Board of Public Works for almost 30 years, most of them as chairman, and was a member of the Chamber of Commerce.

He is survived by his children Mike (Lora) Sauer of Port Washington and Donna (Randall) Hastreiter of Marshfield and six grandchildren, Daniel Sauer, Jonathan (Ping) Sauer, Christopher (Jessica) Hastreiter, Kathryn (Chandler) Nelson, Stephen (Ellissa) Hastreiter and Andrew (Jennifer)  Hastreiter.

He is further survived by sisters and brothers-in-law Delores Staats of Chippewa Falls, Roland (Barbara) Moy of Boone, N.C., and Carolyn (Dwight) Jaquish of Forest  Lake, Minn., nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.  

He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents and his sister Arlene Schroeder.

Funeral services will take place at 5 p.m. on Friday, June 25, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 217 Freeman Dr., Port Washington. Pastor John Klieve will preside.  

Don will be laid to rest beside his wife with military honors the following day at Union Cemetery, Port Washington.  

The family will receive visitors at the church on Friday, June 25, from 2 p.m. until the service at 5 p.m.

Memorials, if desired, are suggested in lieu of flowers to St. John’s Lutheran Church or the Van Ells-Schanen American Legion Post 82.

Eernisse Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com.