4:00 PM to 6:45 PM on Sunday, July 27, 2008 at Krause Funeral Home, 9000 West Capitol Drive & 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM on Monday, July 28, 2008 at Crossroads Presbyterian Church,6031 W. Chapel Hill Road
Crossroads Presbyterian Church, 6031 W. Chapel Hill Rd. on Monday, July 28, 2008 at 11:00 AM
Donald G. Ives, M.D., 82, of Pleasant Prairie (formerly of Milwaukee and later Mequon, WI) advanced to his eternal life where he joined God and many loved ones on Wednesday, July 23, 2008 Dr. Ives, born Nov. 9, 1925, grew up in Milwaukee, WI, the only child of the late Clarence V. and Ella C.Continue Reading
Donald G. Ives, M.D., 82, of Pleasant Prairie (formerly of Milwaukee and later Mequon, WI) advanced to his eternal life where he joined God and many loved ones on Wednesday, July 23, 2008 Dr. Ives, born Nov. 9, 1925, grew up in Milwaukee, WI, the only child of the late Clarence V. and Ella C. (Kilian) Ives. This hard working family met the challenges of the Depression era by upholding their ethical standards of preparedness, honesty, integrity, frugality, and diligence. Even though neither of Dr. Ives' parents had any formal education beyond high school, when Don was very young, he decided to become a medical doctor and committed his plans to the achievement of that goal. To finance his education, he worked in his uncle's nursery and on an assembly line near downtown Milwaukee. During his last year of medical school Don contracted TB, and endured 18 months of confinement as part of his treatment. Nevertheless, upon his release, he successfully completed his course of study and graduated from Marquette University School of Medicine in 1951. On June 16, 1951, only three days after his graduation, Donald and the love of his life, Louise E. Thill, were married. Soon after their wedding, they moved to Ann Arbor, MI where Dr. Ives completed his training in Neurology and Psychiatry at the University of Michigan Medical School. In 1955 he delivered their only child, Donna, at home. After completing his course of study, Dr. Ives and his family moved back to Milwaukee. Shortly thereafter he entered private practice in Whitefish Bay and joined the staff at St. Michael Hospital. Dr. Ives was instrumental in establishing the hospital's psychiatric unit and twice served as their chief of staff. Because the world of medicine and research was providing rapidly evolving knowledge relevant to his practice, Dr. Ives devoted himself to study and research that continued until only weeks before his death. He retired in 1992. Dr. and Mrs. Ives were devoted members of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Milwaukee for many years before they moved to Mequon and became equally devoted to Crossroads Presbyterian Church. Dr. Ives was a member of the Wisconsin Conference of Churches ecumenical ad hoc committee that assisted and supported the Office of Pastoral Services, an ecumenical pastoral counseling service devoted to clergy and their families. Eager to experience the wonders of life, Dr. and Mrs. Ives traveled widely within the U.S. and around the world. They often escaped Wisconsin's winters for a few weeks in Florida frequenting Winter Haven and Sanibel Island. Dr. Ives, an amateur photographer, enjoyed filming their travels and created an extensive collection of home-movies. Closer to home, the Ives built a cottage in northern Wisconsin where their relatives and friends joined them "north of the tension zone". Dr. Ives often awoke early for a solitary hike through the woods, and did all he could to preserve the natural beauty of the land. No holiday season was complete without the Ives' Christmas party. After turkey with all the trimmings, Dr. Ives made sure Santa Claus would visit with gifts for all. Dr. Ives will be remembered not only for holding his parents' values, but also for his generous spirit. Patients' unpaid bills were forgiven, the doors to his vacation homes were always open to family and friends, and his daughter, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren never went without. After suffering heart disease with subsequent bypass surgery, Dr. Ives was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. In 2002, Dr. and Mrs. Ives moved to Pleasant Prairie, WI to be near their daughter and grandchildren. He courageously endured the limitations of his progressive disease at home in the loving care of his dear wife, family, and caregivers. Dr. Ives passed away peacefully in his sleep very early Wednesday morning. Donald G. Ives is survived by his wife Louise E. (Thill); daughter, Donna L Ives-Kimpel (formerly Townsend); granddaughter, Katherine M. Kimpel; grandson, Benjamin C. Kimpel (Kristi L. Grisham); great-grandchildren Savannah Raine and Maddison Belle, and many other dearly loved family members and friends. Predeceased by granddaughter, Angela Kimpel. Visitation will be Sunday, July 27th 4 – 8 p.m. at the Funeral Home. Service will be Monday, July 28th (visitation 10:30 a.m. service 11 a.m.) at Crossroads Presbyterian Church; 6031 W Chapel Hill Rd.; Mequon. with internment following at 1 p.m. at Wisconsin Memorial Park; 13235 W. Capitol Dr., Brookfield The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the Visiting Nurses Association, Hospice Alliance, and their three home healthcare providers for their exceptional attention and care during the final days of Dr. Ives' life. Memorials appreciated to Crossroads Presbyterian Church.