Just recieved word that Don Tesker from Saukville Wisconsin passed away this morning at his home (07/15). Funeral arrangements are pending.
Donald was an active member of the show for many years. Don was the man in charge of the Visitor's Campground for many many years. He would bring all of his own equipment to run the visitor's campground. Some years he would have 3 John Deere gators, a utility tractor and his famous 720 John Deere ready to pull a camper in or out of the campground.
Don will be deeply missed by many. I personally will miss him very much. I worked side by side with Don many years back in the campground. We have many fond memories.
One story that comes to mind is of Don and his pipe. The world stopped if and when he ever lost that pipe. I remember one early evening in the campground, Don had lost his pipe in the overflow campground ( it was wheat stubble field). We were a little busy parking campers at the time and I remember he called me back there on the radio - the sound in his voice made it sound as a real emergency. I remember as I was getting back there he was calling in the Deputies to help with the "emergency" - I was looking around for someone that was injured. The local deputies showed up and they asked what was wrong - All Don said was " I lost my pipe and it is around here somewhere" - the Deputies knew Don well and they knew how much of an emergency this really was. We found the pipe shortly after and the campground was back up and running smoothly as ever..
Another time was Don asked me to fill one of the gators up with gas... as usual I got a little busy and kind of forgot to fill it up. I remember about 8:00 Don called me on the radio and asked if I had the gator - I said no - he said it was not where he left it. It turned out that someone (we still don't know) had taken the gator for a little joy ride. We had alot of people looking for that gator that evening. It was eventually found north of the Horse area abandoned in a ditch. Don never let me forget about my "forgetfullness" for if the gator was full of gas, we may have never seen it again.
Don enjoyed that Visitor's campgound alot. Don owned a large manufacturing company and he would take at least 2 weeks off every year just to come to Rollag - some years some of he employees would come up and help before the show. During the show Don would be tied to the Campground - except for his occasional triple-scoop of butterbrickle icecream cone run.
The past few years Don spent alot of time on the water truck - this is another job he enjoyed. I'll miss passing the water truck and looking up and see Don with pipe in his mouth, a little grin and a little wave...
He will be deeply missed...
Donald was an active member of the show for many years. Don was the man in charge of the Visitor's Campground for many many years. He would bring all of his own equipment to run the visitor's campground. Some years he would have 3 John Deere gators, a utility tractor and his famous 720 John Deere ready to pull a camper in or out of the campground.
Don will be deeply missed by many. I personally will miss him very much. I worked side by side with Don many years back in the campground. We have many fond memories.
One story that comes to mind is of Don and his pipe. The world stopped if and when he ever lost that pipe. I remember one early evening in the campground, Don had lost his pipe in the overflow campground ( it was wheat stubble field). We were a little busy parking campers at the time and I remember he called me back there on the radio - the sound in his voice made it sound as a real emergency. I remember as I was getting back there he was calling in the Deputies to help with the "emergency" - I was looking around for someone that was injured. The local deputies showed up and they asked what was wrong - All Don said was " I lost my pipe and it is around here somewhere" - the Deputies knew Don well and they knew how much of an emergency this really was. We found the pipe shortly after and the campground was back up and running smoothly as ever..
Another time was Don asked me to fill one of the gators up with gas... as usual I got a little busy and kind of forgot to fill it up. I remember about 8:00 Don called me on the radio and asked if I had the gator - I said no - he said it was not where he left it. It turned out that someone (we still don't know) had taken the gator for a little joy ride. We had alot of people looking for that gator that evening. It was eventually found north of the Horse area abandoned in a ditch. Don never let me forget about my "forgetfullness" for if the gator was full of gas, we may have never seen it again.
Don enjoyed that Visitor's campgound alot. Don owned a large manufacturing company and he would take at least 2 weeks off every year just to come to Rollag - some years some of he employees would come up and help before the show. During the show Don would be tied to the Campground - except for his occasional triple-scoop of butterbrickle icecream cone run.
The past few years Don spent alot of time on the water truck - this is another job he enjoyed. I'll miss passing the water truck and looking up and see Don with pipe in his mouth, a little grin and a little wave...
He will be deeply missed...
