Donald Joseph Kaminski

Don Kaminski was born in Berlin, Wisconsin, on August 2, 1928, to Leta (Minski) and Frank Kaminski of Lohrville, Wisconsin.

Don graduated from high school in Sycamore, Illinois in 1945 and attended Michigan College of Mining and Technology for a year while in the U.S. Army Reserves. He served in the U.S. Army in the Occupation of Japan during World War II. He returned to Sycamore after the war and received his B.A. from Northern Illinois University and an M.A. in Geography from the University of Wisconsin. During his studies, he was a catcher for the Sycamore Sons baseball team and helped the Sons win the Illinois State Semi-Pro Championship in 1949.

Don married the love of his life, Arline Swanson, on August 22, 1951, and began working at DeKalb Genetics. Don and Arline had two sons, Joe and Greg while living in Sycamore, Illinois. Don worked 12 years in the corn research department in DeKalb, Illinois and then moved to Wichita, Kansas in 1963, to join the new hybrid wheat division. In 1966, he ventured to Walla Walla, to manage the new hybrid soft wheat program.

As for Don’s service passions, Don and Arline raised Golden Retrievers for over 30 years and became volunteers for “Guide Dogs for the Blind” in the Guide Dog puppy program. They raised nine guide dog puppies and donated five of their retrievers to become guide dogs. Don was active as an Eastgate Lions member for over 40 years as a lifetime member and Melvin Jones recipient. He was also a member of the Walla Walla Kennel Club, VFW, Elks Club and Knights of Columbus. Don spent many joyful hours as a volunteer at St. Mary Medical Center where he took his Golden Retriever therapy dogs to visit patients and bring cheer. He loved playing his harmonica for patients there to help raise their spirits. As a 4-H leader for 15 years, Don was one of six in the United States to receive the American Kennel Club Community Achievement award in 1997. He greatly enjoyed meeting people through these service organizations.

Don’s favorite activities included racquetball at the YMCA, tennis, slow-pitch softball, bowling, and playing games with family. Happy times were spent steelhead fishing in the fall with various fishing buddies. His boat named “Kam in & Ski” was a family treasure as his sons were growing up. They enjoyed outings on the Snake River with several other families.

Don loved his wife Arline and family and was very proud of his grandsons Nicholas and Matthew, and of his daughter-in-law Maryla. Don loved spending time with his extended family, the children of his late brother Frank. Kaminski family reunions became a treasured family time through the years around the 4th of July in Walla Walla. Don was warm and caring, loved to entertain, enjoyed good humor, and will be missed by friends and family.

Our family wishes to thank the many special friends who helped care for Don and provided companionship during his later years, both at his home and in his Odd Fellows Home apartment.

Viewing and Visitation will be held from 3:00PM until 6:00PM Friday, September 29, at the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home.

Rosary Service will be offered at Assumption Catholic Church in Walla Walla, at 6:00PM , Thursday, October 26, 2017.

The funeral Mass will be on Friday, October 27, 2017, starting at 10:00AM. at Assumption Catholic Church in Walla Walla.

Interment will follow at Blue Mountain Memorial Gardens in College Place, WA. A reception with food and sharing will immediately follow at Assumption Church reception hall.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Blue Mountain Humane Society or St. Mary Medical Center through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, WA 99362.

Friends and family are invited to sign the online guest book at www.herringgroseclose.com.