PARKER, Don C., age 79

Died: Wednesday, November 13th, 2024

A private family service will be held at Evergreen Funeral Home

A celebration of his life will be held summer of 2025

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the wresting programs of: 
University of Northern Iowa - Cedar Falls, IA https://unipanthers.com/sports/wrestling
Upper Iowa University - Fayette, IA 
https://uiupeacocks.com/sports/wrestling
University of WI-Eau Claire
https://blugolds.com/sports/wrestling
or any spinal cord injury research organization of your choice

Don C. Parker, 79, passed away peacefully on November 13, 2024 at MCHS-Menomonie surrounded by his beloved wife and daughters.   

Don was born April 9, 1945 in West Union, Iowa to the late Clifford and Edith (Robinson) Parker. He grew up in Hawkeye and lettered in four sports at North Fayette County Community School. He excelled in athletics, particularly football and wrestling. Don was a three time conference champion wrestler and won the state championship his senior year. Don pursued his love of education and athletics at the University of Northern Iowa earning his B.A. in Education. During his time at UNI, he achieved numerous athletic accolades including Scholar Athlete of the year. Don was a two-time NCAA Division II national champion wrestler winning the title in 1966 and 1967.

At UNI, he met the love of his life Carol Mathis. Don and Carol were married in Des Moines, Iowa in 1968 beginning their fifty-six year journey together.  Don's teaching and coaching career spanned decades but began at Zion-Benton High School in Illinois. After receiving his M.A. in Physical Education from UNI, he accepted a position at Upper Iowa University. During his four years at UIU as the head wrestling coach, Don was also an educator and an assistant football coach. In 1977, Don began his thirty-two year career as head wrestling coach at UW-Eau Claire. During his career at UWEC, he was also an assistant football coach and an assistant professor in the kinesiology department. His career highlights include: coaching one national champion, nineteen All-Americans, fifteen conference champions and 9 Academic All-Americans. Don's personal athletic success and coaching contributions earned him numerous awards including the WIAC Coach of the Year and seven hall of fame inductions. Don was so proud of the countless students and athletes that he mentored throughout the years.  

In 1998, a hunting accident left Don a quadriplegic and confined to a wheelchair for the remainder of his life. This is where Don's story becomes truly inspirational. His strength, courage and determination to rehabilitate were all a testament to his character. He was the epitome of tough; an unstoppable force. Despite immense challenges, he continued to teach, coach and inspire until his retirement in 2009. Life threw Don countless challenges but he faced every one of them head-on with remarkable resilience. He tackled every obstacle with a joke and a smile on his face. His positivity, sense of humor and zest for life were unwavering and amazing. 

Don had many hobbies throughout his life including hunting, fishing, and woodworking. He was a skilled craftsman who spent many summers building two of his own homes. He loved nothing more than spending time with his family and creating memories that will be cherished forever. Don lived an incredible, inspirational life and he will be deeply missed by the many lives that he touched.

He is survived by his loving wife, Carol; daughters, Kristen (Denise Kukielka) Parker, Lesli (Brendan) Smith, and Wendy (Thane) Kurth; grandchildren, Addison, Brayden, Brecken, Ryder, Brielle and Brooks; brothers, Roger (Carolyn) Parker and Keith Parker; sister, Janet Helbert; many nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.  

Don was preceded in death by his parents; father and mother-in-law, Frank and Eleanor Mathis; brother in-law, Larry Helbert; many aunts, uncles, cousins and special friends.

The family would like to thank all of the caregivers for their compassionate care at Mayo Clinic Health Care in Eau Claire and Menomonie.