Donald E. Sabin, age 71, of West Bend, passed away on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at his home surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on July 7, 1940 in Blue Rapids, Kansas to the late John and Cecelia (Dugan) Sabin. Don attended high school in Fairbury, Nebraska and graduated in 1958. Following his high school graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. In the summer of 1959 Don met the love of his life, Penny Kjergaard, while life guarding at the pool in Lincoln Air Force Base in Nebraska. Three years later, on June 18, 1962, they were united in marriage in Clay Center, Kansas. After serving in the Air Force, Don studied marketing at the University of Nebraska and later began a long career working for AC Nielson doing market research. Over the years Don's career led his family to live in various places including Houston, Texas and Milwaukee, Wisconsin before moving to West Bend after enjoying years of camping in the kettle moraine.
In his free time, Don enjoyed golfing, traveling, camping, gardening, coin collecting, reading, and researching his family genealogy with his wife. He was a family man and he loved nothing more than spending time with his children and grandchildren. He especially loved to take his grandchildren fishing and always enjoyed attending all of their school programs and sporting events.
Don is survived by his wife, Penny; his three children, Janice and her husband Juan Medina of Menomonee Falls, Scott and his wife Peggy Sabin of Slinger, and Lisa Sabin-Wilson and her husband Chris Wilson of Colgate. He is further survived by his seven grandchildren, Nico, Eric, Dan, Kiley, Derek, Ben, and Melissa; as well as many other dear relatives and close friends.
Don was preceded in death by his parents; and his sister Margaret "Peggy" LaNell Sabin.
A funeral service in remembrance of Don will be held on Sunday, July 17th at 6:00 pm at the Myrhum-Patten Funeral Home in West Bend with Father Richard Stoffel officiating. Visitation will be on Sunday at the funeral home from 4:00 pm until the time of service at 6:00 pm.
Memorials to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society would be greatly appreciated by the family.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Thomas Naughton for the years of friendship and care that was given to Don and to the care givers at Vitas Hospice for all of their loving compassion.