KAUKAUNA — Deacon Donald Newhouse died on July 22, 2025, while residing at St. Paul Villa Assisted Living in Kaukauna.
He was born on February 20, 1930, in Kaukauna to the late Raymond and Agnes Newhouse. He married Shirley Hietpas, who he met in high school, on November 25, 1950, at St. John Parish, Little Chute.
Deacon Newhouse was ordained to the permanent diaconate for the Diocese of Green Bay on October 23, 1976, by Bishop Wycislo and was assigned to St. Nicholas Parish, Freedom.
He retired from active ministry receiving senior status after 35 years of service on October 23, 2011.
Deacon Newhouse 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. He retired from Bellin in 1995.
Deacon Newhouse 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.”
He enjoyed gardening, rides in the country, square dancing and trips with friends Jim and Pat Woods until Shirley’s 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.
He particularly enjoyed visiting the sick and elderly at area hospitals and nursing homes, continuing this ministry at St. Paul Villa right up to his passing. He was known for a great talent in comforting those in pain both physical and emotional or near death.
Deacon Newhouse 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.
Deacon Newhouse was preceded in death by his 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 in Freedom, N3972 Columbia Ave., Freedom.
A vigil service will conclude the evening. Visitation will continue Monday morning, August 4, 2025, at St. Nicholas Parish, 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.