Donald Robert Frisque

Donald Robert Frisque, age 82, of Shawano entered his heavenly home on Friday, November 8, 2024. Don was born in Rhinelander on November 28, 1941, son of Robert and Lillian (Karow) Frisque. He was baptized on December 28, 1941, and confirmed his baptismal faith on May 20, 1956, at Zion Lutheran Church in Rhinelander. 

In 1960, Don graduated from Northwestern Preparatory School in Watertown and continued his studies as a member of the class of 1964, at Northwestern Lutheran College. He left after his junior year to teach at Jerusalem Lutheran School in Milwaukee where he taught third and fourth grade from 1963-1966.

 Don married Joyce Vetting on August 8, 1965, at First German Lutheran Church in Manitowoc. From 1966-1969, Don taught English and headed the English department at Lakeside Lutheran High School in Lake Mills. He earned his BA from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee in 1968, with a major in English and a minor in foreign languages. In 1971, Don earned his master’s in social work and worked for Wisconsin Lutheran Child and Family Service from 1971-1973.  Don and Joyce moved to Shawano in 1973, where Don worked as a school social worker until 2004. He continued his education and became certified as a school administrator. Between 1992-1995, Don split his time between social worker and assistant principal at Brener Elementary School. Don’s strong faith in God showed as he faithfully used his God-given gifts in serving his Savior. He was an active member of Divine Savior Lutheran Church in Shawano where he held many offices and was instrumental in establishing the Endowment Fund in the early 1990s. He continually volunteered his time working with the Endowment Fund, communication and financial committees, and the Bread of Life Food Pantry ministry. 

Don is survived by: his wife, Joyce; his two children, Deborah (Rev. Daniel) Witte and Paul (Kristi) Frisque; seven grandchildren, Deanna, Danae, David, Daria, Donovan, Drew, and Nathaniel; and brother-in-law, Allan (Debbie) Vetting. 

He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Dayle; and his granddaughter, Dominique Witte.

A funeral service for Don will be held at Divine Savior Lutheran Church in Shawano at 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 16, 2024.  Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church on Saturday from 11:30 a.m. until the time of the service.

 In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the “Martin Luther College: Vetting-Frisque Student Assistance Scholarship,” the Divine Savior Endowment Fund, or the FVL Foundation Legacy Project.

The Swedberg Funeral Home, www.swedbergfuneralhome.com, is handling the arrangements.