Donald F. Marklein

JANESVILLE – Donald Francis Marklein of Janesville passed away quietly in his sleep on December 18, 2023. Don was a beloved family man and successful small business owner who developed real estate and built thousands of family homes in Janesville, Lake Redstone and the surrounding area. He lived a full life and will be missed by many.

Don was born to Irvin and Susan (McPhillips) Marklein in Clyde, Wis., on May 22, 1935, and was one of nine children. He gained a lifelong work ethic growing up on the family farm, was schooled at the local one-room schoolhouse, graduated from Lone Rock High School, and attended Milton College. He then worked on the assembly line at the GM plant in Janesville. He and his brother Lee started building homes in 1959, and a few years later, they left GM to form Marklein Builders, Inc. Together, the brothers and their loyal, talented team built thousands of homes and developed subdivisions in Janesville, Delavan, and Lake Redstone.

Don married his one true love, Carol Jean Brierton, of North Lake, Wisconsin, on August 8, 1964. “Donnie and Carol” lived in Janesville and built a second home at Lake Redstone where they spent summers and weekends enjoying life with family and friends. They loved to play golf and poker, water ski and snow ski, snowmobile, cruise the lake, travel to Florida and Europe, and spend time on their front porch visiting with neighbors.

Don and Carol had two children – son Tim and daughter Shannon – and they devoted themselves to creating a wonderful childhood for both. Don was “family first” and did everything he could for his children, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, and grandkids. Don hired and worked with many family members, and regularly visited family across the state. Don was also a loving and supportive grandfather, making time to babysit, play games together, shovel snow off the lake for an ice rink, or teach the grandkids how to drive the boat and snowmobile.

Don was a kind and gentle man. In business, he was honest, humble and personable – whether talking with a young couple building their first home, or a farmer looking to sell his land. He was also a very hard worker, always busy doing something – buying land, showing houses, cleaning the family-owned laundromat, buying and selling cars, getting boats ready at the lake, and taking care of Carol in their later years. Don was unassuming, but he was also ambitious and visionary – leading a very successful business for 60+ years, helping develop and build much of the city of Janesville, and building many of the first homes at Lake Redstone.

Don is survived by his loving wife Carol; two children and four grandchildren: his son Tim (Heather), and their sons, Max and Jordan; and his daughter, Shannon (Scott) Bever, and their daughter, Claire and son, John. He is also survived by his sister, Susan (Phillip) McCarville; and sisters-in-law, Rita (Philip) Marklein and Marlene (James) Marklein; and countless nieces and nephews.

Don was preceded in death by his parents and stepmother, Bess; brothers, James, Robert, William, Lee and Philip; sisters, Margaret and Catherine; and many other family members, employees, and friends.

Special thanks to the health-care professionals at Mercy Hospital and Agrace Hospice who helped with Don’s care over the last two months. With your help, we are thankful to have spent our last days together as a family.

A funeral mass for Don will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Friday, December 29, 2023, at ST. JOHN VIANNEY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1250 E. Racine St, Janesville, followed by a burial service at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Janesville. A visitation will be held the night before from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 28, 2023, at HENKE-CLARSON FUNERAL HOME, 1010 N. Wright Road, Janesville and at the church from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, December 29th.

In lieu of flowers, consider a contribution to Agrace Hospice, Habitat for Humanity, or Alzheimer’s Association. Please hold your family close and share your love as much as you can.

HENKE-CLARSON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY of Janesville is assisting the family. Online condolences can be shared at www.henkeclarson.com.