Donald Francis Wiedemer passed away on February 10, 2024, in McKinney, Texas at the age of 86. He was born March 31, 1937, in Louisville, Kentucky to Frank John Wiedemer and Anna Venita Shumate. He was a member of St. Jude Catholic Church for 17 years.
Don grew up in Louisville, where he attended St. Agnes Catholic School and graduated from St. Xavier High School in 1955. After high school, Don earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physics from the University of Dayton, class of 1959. Don then attended graduate school at Purdue University. In 1961, Don was called to active duty in the Army, where he served at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. When he returned to Louisville and while working at Commonwealth Insurance, Don met his future wife, Janice.
Don and Janice were married on November 28, 1963, in Louisville, at St. Agnes Church by Father Francis. In their first few years in Louisville, Don and Janice were blessed with their first 3 children - Denise, John, and Michael. In 1969, the young family moved to Carrollton, Texas for Don to start work at Electronic Data Systems (EDS) as a computer systems engineer. The family continued to grow with two more children – Leslie and Robert. Don ended his career at US Life Systems Corporation as Vice President of Actuarial/Micro Systems when he retired in 1998.
In retirement, Don enjoyed family, golf, traveling, and helping others. He was very involved in his church community, teaching and ministering to youth, counseling engaged couples, delivering the eucharist to the homebound, delivering “meals on wheels”, and much more. Don loved watching sports while being surrounded by his kids and grandkids. Don and Janice traveled to many places, including the Caribbean, Japan, the Mediterranean, Israel, Alaska, and more.
Don’s greatest pride was his family. His marriage of more than 60 years to Janice was a shining example to all around them. He believed in and challenged his children to bring out their best. Don’s special joy was spending time with his grandchildren. Don could often be found (and heard) at his grandkids’ activities and sporting events, passionately cheering them on.
Don is survived by his wife, Janice Wiedemer of McKinney, Texas; daughter, Denise Hantak and husband, Greg of Dallas, Texas; son, John Wiedemer and wife, Christina of East Hampton, Connecticut; son, Michael Wiedemer and wife, Michele of Dallas, Texas; daughter, Leslie Marlow and husband, Mike of Frisco, Texas; son, Robert Wiedemer and wife, Paige of Flower Mound, Texas; 9 grandchildren; his sister, Joyce Cardwell of Louisville, Kentucky and a host of other loving family and friends.
A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 am, Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at St. Jude Catholic Church, 1515 N. Greenville Avenue, Allen, Texas 75002. In accordance with the family’s wishes and the solemnity of the season of Lent, no flowers are requested. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Meals on Wheels of Colin County (600 N. Tennessee St., McKinney, TX 75069, www.mealsonwheelscc.org), UT Southwestern Medical Center Brain Institute (odonnellbraininstitute.utsouthwestern.edu/giving), or the charity of your choice.