Doran “Papa” Louis Karbowski, born 7 December 1937, crossed over the threshold of this world into eternal life on 14 December 2018. Doran grew up in Milwaukee and attended Saint Boniface and Rufus King schools. He was fortunate to spend his summers on his grandfather’s farm where he developed a life-long appreciation for nature. When he was 18 he joined the United States Marine Corps and served honorably for 8 years. He was especially proud to have spent time aboard the USS Wisconsin, touring the world three times over. After serving he had other varieties of adventure; he ultimately attended trade school and built elevators, later becoming a deputy state inspector. Later on he became an independent owner operator and travelled the continental United States and Canada, easily covering millions of miles and earning many safe driver awards along the way. Doran’s photographic memory served him well; he knew the interstate system and every best diner along the way like the back of his hand. He and Patricia enjoyed his retirement on their boat, he worked in his shop, helped friends in theirs, and come winter he looked forward to the ice drags. Most of all, he looked forward to seeing his children and grandchildren. Doran was a loyal, kind, and quick witted man full of good humor and deep wisdom. His hobbies were widely varied, from playing the accordion to blacksmithing, and as such he was a problem solver: there was no engineering error he could not figure out or unrest he could not offer some peace to. He lived and died by a code.
Doran was preceded in death by his father and mother, Louis George and Kathryn Anne Karbowski, his mother-in-law, Christine Sheldon, several aunts, uncles, many beloved cousins of the Karbowski and Rowlee families, a son-in-law, and a sister-in-law.
Doran is survived by his devoted wife and best girl of over 30 years, Patricia “Tilly” Karbowski. He also has two daughters, Alexandra VanDan and Katarina (Joshua) Julian: a son, Daniel Antillon: seven grandchildren, Jeremiah, Sarah, and Charlotte VanDan, Angelina, Joshua Royal, and his namesake Doran Thomas Julian, and Vivienne Antillon: a brother, Dennis (Deanna) Karbowski : a sister, Cheryle Kunkel: an aunt, Rita (Larry) Rowlee-Olson: a cousin, Robert (Roxine) Karbowski: a father-in-law, Roger Yonke: brother-in-law’s, Milton Giese, Fred (Christine) Giese, John (Char) Giese: sister-in-law’s, Christine (Douglas) Belongia, Annie (Jimmie) Emerson, and many nieces and nephews, all of whom he adored and was happy to see grow up.
There will be a private gathering for family and close friends in the spring.
Doran would like to stand up for and thank the Tomah VA for their “A, Number 1 care”. Semper fi.