Donald E. Christman was born to Agnes (Gertschen) and Claire Christman on Longwood Farm in Clark County, WI on Feb. 6, 1940. Donald grew up with siblings Charles, Cecil, Laurabelle, Clara, Irene and Martha. Donald spent his early childhood in Clark County. Following the untimely death of his mother, the family relocated to Birmingham, Alabama. Shortly after, his father fell ill and couldn't care for his family, and the family returned to Wisconsin, where Donald and his siblings were raised by several aunts and uncles. Donald joined the US Air force in 1958 and was honorably discharged in 1962. Donald married Mary J. Schmidt in 1965, in Elkhorn, WI. In the early 1970’s Donald partnered with his brother in law, Thomas Schmidt, to rename the Schmidt Brothers Dairy farm to be The Schmidt Christman Farm. Donald assisted with dairy farm responsibilities during the day while also maintaining a full time second shift job as a steelworker for Trent Tube and later Plymouth Tube of East Troy, WI. Donald retired from Plymouth Tube in 2010, after 39 years of service.

Donald and Mary raised five children in Elkhorn; Gary, Eric, Adam, Eden, and Rian. Donald was also a proud grandfather to Aiden and Olivia. After moving off the farm and In his later years, Donald resided in Milwaukee and then Waterford, WI, with his daughter Eden and granddaughter Olivia and trusted dogs; Clover and Rosie.
Donald was preceded in death by his former spouse, Mary; his parents; his sisters, Laura (Paul) Francel and Irene (Lars) Larson; his brothers, Charles (Janice) Christman and Cecil (Christine) Christman; and a brother-in-law, Joseph Raya.

Donald passed away peacefully in hospice at home on March 14, 2022. He was a resilient and loving father and grandfather, a hardworking role model, always kind and ready to help others.

Visitation at St. John's Ev Lutheran Church, 4001 South 68th Street, Greenfield, WI 53220 on Saturday, April 9, 2022 from 11 AM to 12 Noon. Celebration of Life Service at 12 Noon.