Donald “Tat” D. Lauterbach

PORTAGE  --  Donald “Tat” D. Lauterbach, age 79, of Portage, died on Friday, January 23, 2009 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 27, 2009 at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Portage, with the Rev. Alan Boeck officiating.  Burial will follow in Silver Lake Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Monday, January 26, 2009 at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage, and on Tuesday at the church from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.

Tat was born on January 25, 1929, the son of Keith “Dud” and Margaret (Kluth) Lauterbach.  He was married to Doris Lester, who preceded him in death.  Tat retired from Wisconsin Power and Light in 1988.  He was a member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Portage, where he served as an elder.  He was a member of the Portage Curling Club, and played fast pitch softball and horseshoes.  Tat had a great love for trapping, hunting, fishing, and playing cards, but more importantly, he loved helping others.  During his senior year of high school, Tat accomplished what few Portage High School athletes have been able to do;  he competed and lettered in five sports;  baseball, basketball, football, track and boxing.

Tat is survived by his daughters, Diane (Tim) Bressers, Portage, Patti Giannini, Beaumont, California, and Peggy Catlin, Calimesa, California;  his dearest friend and companion, Vi Manthey, Portage;  his grandchildren, Ryan, Alexis and Drew Lauterbach, Matt Vesely, Megan Vesely, Devin Bressers, Kristin Fleming, Danny Giannini, Andy Giannini, and Kaylee Catlin;  his brother, William Lauterbach, Portage;  Vi’s family, Russell (Sheri) Manthey, Marion (Russell) Kopfhamer, and William (Linda) Manthey, and their children, Sheena and Tyler Manthey, Jacqueline and Jennifer Manthey, Chris (Rebecca), Melissa (Wade Kaiser) and Justin (Megan) Kopfhamer;  nieces, nephews, other relatives and many, many friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and son, Larry.