Deacon Donald Newhouse

Donald Newhouse “Deacon Don”, Kaukauna, formerly of Freedom, WI, went to be with his heavenly Father on July 22, 2025, while residing at St. Paul Villa. He was born on February 20, 1930, in the town of Kaukauna to the late Raymond and Agnes Newhouse. Don married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Hietpas on November 25, 1950, at St. John Catholic Church in Little Chute.

Deacon Don was ordained a Permanent Deacon for the diocese of Green Bay on October 23, 1976 by Bishop Wycislo and was assigned to St. Nicholas Parish Freedom, retiring from active ministry receiving Senior Status after 35 years of service on October 23, 2011.

Don farmed in the town of Kaukauna for 22 years, then worked at United Foods/Roundy’s Distribution Center in Little Chute before accepting a position as Chaplain at Bellin Hospital in Green Bay, while continuing his service at St. Nicholas Parish, retiring from Bellin in 1995.

Deacon Don was also very involved in his parish, the Diocesan Cursillo Movement, and the Freedom Community (receiving the 2003 Outstanding Community Service Award). His most privileged honor was having the reception room at the Verkuilen-Van Deurzen Funeral Home in Freedom named in his honor. “The Deacon Don Reception Hall”

Don enjoyed gardening, rides in the country, square dancing and trips with friends Jim and Pat Woods until Shirleys health no longer permitted them. He also enjoyed word search puzzles and nightly card games with Shirley and his card buddies at St. Paul Villa. But his special love was in visiting the sick and elderly at area hospitals and nursing homes, continuing this ministry at St. Paul’s right up to his passing. He had a great talent for comforting those in pain both physical and emotional or near death.

Deacon Don is survived by 5 sons; 10 grandchildren; 6 step grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren. Joe (Sue) Newhouse, Kaukauna, and their family: Jamie (Ann) Newhouse -- Emma (Kyle) Roscoe and Kayla // Rob (Jennine) Newhouse -- Della and Daisy // Cory (Becky Bowers) Newhouse – Lauren // Randy (Alyson) Newhouse – Marlene and Otto // Gary Newhouse, Skokie, IL, and his son, Derek // Jim (Kris) Newhouse, Freedom, and their family: Craig (Annette) Newhouse – Payton, Dana (Mike) Jacquot – Scout and Marshal // Dave (Clarissa Meyer) Newhouse, Florida, and their family: Brianna (Jac) Cooper – Emma and Logan, Nicholas (Yvette) Newhouse – Mirthe and Vince, Brooklynn, Paul (Karyn) Klawikowski and Kaitlynn (Keshaun) Braxton – Samaria // Thomas (Sally) Newhouse, Freedom, and their family: Kyle (Amanda) Newhouse – Keegan, Hunter and Caden and Marissa (Cory) Vander Heiden – Olivia and Evelyn, and Cameron, Courteney and Coleton Van Camp.

Don was preceded in death by his beloved wife Shirley in 2022; parents, Ray and Agnes Newhouse; brothers: Ivo, Gordon and Carl Newhouse; daughters-in-law: Joan Newhouse and Jenny Newhouse; great grandson, Gavin Newhouse; father and mother-in-law, Ted and Margaret Hietpas; sisters-in-law: Mildred Newhouse, Dorothy Newhouse, Mary Catherine Hietpas and Carol Newhouse; brothers-in-law: Clarence and Neil Hietpas.

Visitation will be on Sunday, August 3, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Verkuilen-Van Deurzen Family Funeral Home Freedom Location, N3972 Columbia Ave., Freedom. A vigil service will conclude the evening. Visitation will continue Monday morning, August 4, 2025, at Saint Nicholas Catholic Church, W2037 County Road S, Freedom, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Burial will take place in the parish cemetery. For online condolences, please visit www.verkuilenfh.com.  

A gentle soul has passed away

Listening and soft spoken was his way.

Touching the hearts of both young and old

Treating all he met like they were gold.

His work on earth – it now is finished

But our love for him will not diminish.

God took him home with him to stay,

Now he’ll reside in heaven to pray.

We love you Dad. God Bless you

(Poem written by Shirley)