Donald E. Naas, age 86, passed away on February 21, 2024 in Homosassa, Florida. Mr. Naas, son of Leonard and Lillian (Christensen) Naas, was born on January 6, 1938 in Onalaska, Wisconsin.
He attended high school in Onalaska and joined the Air Force in 1955. After his service, he went to work for North Central Airlines at Chicago’s Midway Airport, later moving to LaCrosse, Wisconsin, and joining Trane Co where he worked with instrumentation and acoustics for 30 years. He and his first wife, Nancy (Dolder) Naas were married February 11, 1961. They also owned and operated a mobile home park in Westby, Wisconsin before retiring to Holiday Island 30 years ago. On June 17, 2017, Don was united in marriage to Peggy Lodewyks in Holiday Island, Arkansas where they continued to reside.
During his 30 years at Holiday Island, Mr. Naas was a charter member of the Holiday Island Community Church, handling the sound equipment and recording services, an active member and DJ at the Elks Lodge, the Quartermaster of Veterans of Foreign War Post 77, a member of the American Legion, Director and Treasurer of the White River Valley Sportsman’s Association, and the sound/ light engineer for the Holiday Island Theater Guild. He was a man of many talents, able to fix or create just about anything. He will long be remembered for his love of cannons that he was able to share with others on many occasions.
Mr. Naas was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Nancy; and his five siblings: Beula, Lorrie, Doris, Richard and William.
Survivors include his wife, Peggy of Holiday Island, Arkansas; his son, Bob (Barb) Naas of Fort Collins, Colorado; his daughter, Lisa (Marshal) Alsaker of Maple Grove, Minnesota; three granddaughters, Bailey (Brett) Naas-Thornton, Betsy Naas, and Sydney Alsaker; brother-in-law, Dan Dolder; sister-in-law, Joan (Gary) Dolder, and many nieces and nephews.
Don’s wishes were to be laid to rest in the Holiday Island Community Church Memorial Garden in a private graveside ceremony.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Elks Lodge #1042, P.O. Box 3087, Holiday Island 72631 or Imagination Library, P.O. Box 3043, Holiday Island, AR 72631.