Donald "Don" Pieters

Donald L. Pieters passed away March 4, 2014 at Rennes Nursing Home. He was born in Burlington, Wisconsin March 25, 1924. He attended grade school at St. Charles Catholic School and St. Mary’s High School. Liked by his classmates, he was elected class president for four years and was voted prom king senior year. Active in sports and excelling in boxing, he refused a boxing scholarship at Madison University to attend St. Norbert College. Called to service in WWII, he was awarded an opportunity to major in engineering at Bard College in New York. Realizing this was not his field of expertise, he transferred to glider school and then joined the 13th Airborne in George where he became a paratrooper and served in France until the end of the war. Donald received a B.A. degree in 1949 from St. Norbert College, and he obtained an M.A. in Library Science from Madison University. During this time, he met Betty who was attending Teacher’s College. They were married in 1948. St. Norbert College then offered him a librarian position. While being the St. Norbert College Librarian, he assisted the English department for three years teaching Freshman Composition. He became Head Librarian and held the position until 1978 during which time he developed the archive for the college. His dedication to St. Norbert College spanned fifty years. During the last fifteen years of his tenure at St. Norbert, he was the college archivist. His publications include works of “….historical aspects related to buildings and people at St. Norbert College.” Donald then worked part-time in the archives at St. Norbert Abbey. Donald was a board member of the White Pillars Historical Society for nine years where he was also the Greeter for Santa’s House. He was a long time member of the Lion’s Club and Vice-Chairman of the Credit Union for the college. Donald received the prestigious Abbot Pennings Award from St. Norbert Abbey January 5, 2005. Donald is preceded in death by his youngest son, Daniel. He is survived by his wife, five children, six grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. He had “a wonderful life.” Family and friends may visit at Cotter Funeral Home, De Pere, on Friday, March 7, from 5:00-7:00pm. Visitation will continue on Saturday, from 9:30-10:15am at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 220 S. Michigan St, De Pere. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30am Saturday, with the Rev. Richard Getchel officiating. A luncheon will follow the services at the church social hall. Thanks to St. Vincent Hospital and Rennes Nursing Facility for the care of Don.