Anderson Funeral Home
Homeserving families for over 70 years
312 South Stone St.
Augusta, WI 54722
715-286-2222
Donald Gaede
Donald E. Gaede, 97, of Augusta, with his family by his bedside passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at the Augusta Health and Rehabilitation.
Donald Eugene Gaede, son of Herman and Sophie (Pape) Gaede was born March 21, 1928. He was raised with his 5 siblings in the Pine Hill area of Jackson County and attended Pine Hill Country School. The family eventually moved to the rural Fairchild area and went on to graduate from Fairchild High School in 1946. After high school Don drove a milk can route and also operated the home farm, in addition to taking care of his mother until her passing in 1956.
While on the milk route he met Sarah Flick and the two later married on Oct. 11, 1958, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Augusta. The couple farmed on Kempton Road east of Augusta in Fairchild Township until the late 1980’s, when they retired from milking and built their new home still on Kempton, just south of the farm. For 33 years both he and Sarah also enjoyed reading meters for Eau Claire Electric Company. When not farming or reading meters you could usually find Don still bailing hay or cutting firewood on his land, as he was rarely idle.
Donald’s faith has always been an important part of his life having been baptized at Faith Lutheran Church in Jackson County. Throughout the years he had been a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Augusta, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Fairchild, Zion Lutheran Church rural Augusta, and currently a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Augusta.
Over the years Don had served on the Fairchild Town Board and on the Cemetery Board for the Village of Fairchild. Don might have taken time off to check out an area auction but always found the time to participate in the annual deer hunt. Both he and Sarah were always willing to help others and never thought twice about lending a helping hand to someone in need.
Unfortunately, Don suffered a debilitating stroke in 2017 which required hospitalization and a stay at the Augusta Health and Rehabilitation. Sarah eventually was able to take him home and cared for him until 2020, when it just became too difficult for her as he required full time assistance. Don was born to live on a farm, so the nursing home way of life was extremely difficult for him. He never really completely adjusted but did look forward to the BINGO games and enjoyed listening to the various old time music performers that came in to entertain the residents.
Don will be deeply missed by his daughters, Barbara Thomley of Eau Claire and Pamela Zinn of Augusta; son, Tim (Christie) Gaede of Osseo; 9 grandchildren, Jeff (Lori) Thomley, Kyle (Jordan) Benning, Jessica Zielsdorf (Ed Fernholz), Kim Thomley, Jerome Gaede (Mattie Kempf), Tyler Gaede (Thea Bohl), Stephanie Plasch, Rebecca (Juan Castillo) Zinn, Samantha Zinn (Cory Kampmeier); 7 great grandchildren, Oliver, Madison and Charlie Thomley, Alexandra, Kyrah Thurman, Tayrn Benning, Milo Castillo; great great grandson, Benson Thurman-Moyer; brothers and sisters-in-laws, Dennis (Luanne)Flick of Menomonie, David (Kelly) Flick of Taylor, William (Sandy) Flick of Alma Center, Edward Flick of Eau Claire, Rose Flick (Sally) of Holman; close nieces, Patti Gaede (Mike Laufenberg) of Fairchild and Debbie Gaede of Tomah; dear friend to Don and Sarah, Ray “Cheap Jeep” of Eau Claire; several nieces, nephews and other relatives.
In addition to his parents, Don was also preceded in death by Sarah, his wife of 65 years who passed away on Jan. 16, 2024; great grandson Dylan Thurman; siblings, Ralph (Evangeline) Gaede, Everette (Eleanor) Gaede, Norman (Alpha) Gaede, Doris (Milan) Sell and Arlene Piel; niece Diane Sell; and nephews, Jerome and Terrance Sell, Larry and Gary Gaede.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 3, 2025, at noon at Grace Lutheran Church in Augusta with Pastor Jonathan Wessel officiating.
Burial will be in the Fairchild Cemetery.
Friends may call Thursday beginning at 10 a.m. at the church. The family is assisted by Anderson Funeral Home in Augusta.
Online condolences can be left at www.andersonfhaugusta.com
