Donald Leroy `Hippo` Small
Donald Leroy `Hippo` Small , Age 83
Donald Leroy “Hippo” Small, age 83, of Baraboo passed away peacefully with family by his side on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at home.
Donald, son of Isaac and Ida (Fry) Small was born April 27, 1942 at home in Richland County. He attended Weston High School for a brief time and graduated Reedsburg Area High School.
He was married to Lois Kluender and to this union, four children were born; Laurie, Donald, Daniel and Linda. On September 7, 2013 he was united in marriage to Mary (Peters) Koski. Don was a school bus driver for Lamers for 34 years; he found great joy in transporting school children to and from home and sporting events for many years. He loved to be part of the student life and seeing them regularly. Besides driving school bus, he also drove milk truck for 30 years and delivered pizza for a short time for Pizza Hut. Don was a dispatcher and trained drivers for the safety office as well. He enjoyed doing puzzles, collecting miniature tractors and school buses.
Survivors include his loving wife, Mary; children, Donald (Angela) Small and Dan (Jennifer) Small; sons-in-law, Tim Boyce and John Zipsie; step-children, Jennifer (Jack) Pollitt, Dan (Stephanie) Beardsley, Sarah (Eugene) Erickson; 13 grandchildren, Brenden, Cody, Adam, Andrew, Michael, Cortney, Jordan, Megan, Noelle, Aurienne, Laura, Katherine, Elizabeth; five step-grandchildren, Brooke, Julia, Cole, Jonathan and Ethan; and two great-grandchildren. He is further survived by his brother and sister, Lester (Bonnie) Small and Dorothy Fry.
Don was preceded in death by his daughters, Laurie Boyce and Linda Zipsie; step-son, David Beardsley; siblings, David Small, Gifford Fry, Josephine Karstetter, Judy Karstetter and Margaret Ewers.
A memorial service for Don will be held on Thursday, March 12, 2026 at 11 a.m. at Redlin-Ertz Funeral Home with Pastor Andy Johnson officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family.
To my friends and family: “God Bless You All” Love, Don
Condolences
Cecilia A Gillhouse March 02, 2026
Family Beloit , Wisconsin
Dear Jenni, Dan, and family, We are so deeply sorry for your loss. Please accept our heartfelt condolences on the passing of Dan’s father. We are holding you all close in our thoughts and sending you love, strength, and comfort during this incredibly difficult time. May his memory be a blessing.
Greg Lang March 02, 2026
Acquaintance Reedsburg , Wisconsin
Thanks for all the bus trips when I taught and coached. He was one of the good guys. So sorry for the loss
Terry Spencer’s March 02, 2026
Friend Baraboo , Wisconsin
To my friend Don. Thank you for the many years of service to the bus companies and for teaching me the fine techniques of bus driving. You were one of the best and your knowledge of roads and where students lived was a great asset. RIP my friend. I know we will meet again.