I hold it true, whate'er befall;
I feel it when I sorrow most;
'Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.
... Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Ted Callahan
Ted Callahan, Iron River, WI died peacefully May 28, 2021 surrounded by his loving family after a very short illness. Ted was born and raised in Iron River and spent most of his life in Iron River. Ted graduated from Iron River High School in 1962, graduated from the University of Wisconsin- Superior, and began a career at the Seven-up Bottling plant in Duluth. March 20, 1965 Ted married the love of his life, Donna Easty. They were married 55 years. Ted became a very gifted electrician. In 1975 Donna and Ted moved back to Iron River and started their own company, Calanson Electric and Security. In his retirement he continued to help his family with electrical projects.
Ted and Donna raised their family of four children in Iron River and both were very active in the community. They spent their winters in Brownsville, Texas. They also enjoyed many trips to Mexico with family and friends. They loved traveling and visited many amazing places. They loved to dance and especially liked being part of the local dance club. Anytime there was an opportunity to dance together they were there. Ted and Donna enjoyed renovating the family cabin on Lake Millicent on the Pike Chain of Lakes, it was a favorite spot for friends and family to gather. Many Pontoon parties were held because the Callahans called everyone to meet in the middle of Hart Lake.
Ted was an active member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Iron River and served on many committees. Ted was a man of many talents and held many leadership roles throughout his life, namely; Past Master of Euclid Lodge 198, Duluth, MN, Member of the Scottish rite Bodies, Duluth, MN, Member and President of the local Chequamegon Shrine Club, Member, President of the Iron River Lions Club where he received the highest honor, “The Melvin Jones” award. Assistant Fire Chief in Iron River Fire Dept., Director of Iron River Ambulance Service for many years. Ted was an amazing caregiver and lovingly cared for his wife, Donna, for 3 1/2 years as she struggled with ALS. Donna passed in September of 2020 and Ted missed her every day. 8 months after Donna passed away, Ted was diagnosed with Lung Cancer and only lived for 1 month after being diagnosed. There is no doubt that it was not the cancer that took him, but more likely he died from a broken heart. Now Donna and Ted are together again.
Ted is survived by 4 children, Tammy (Desi) Sipsas, Tad (Carrie Heffron) Callahan, Tanya (Troy Opsahl) Brickson, and Tricia (Jerry) Talso, 13 grandchildren; Desarae (Jake) Nelson, Shane Sipsas, Chloe Sipsas, Beau Sipsas, Levi Berggren, Kylie Callahan, Lilly Callahan, Tiegan (Keenan) Brickson, Mikala(Ryan) Garay, Hannah (Luke) Johnson, Jordan (Kyle) Nelson, Nicole (Mike) Lester, Austin Talso, 5 great-grandchildren; Ally Lester, Jaxton and Kylin Nelson, Isla Brickson, Broden and Briggs Garay. One expectant great-grandchild, Baby Nelson. He is further survived by his sister Paddy (John) Weiss, sister-in-law, Joyce Shaler, sisters-in-law, Elaine and Jan Easty and many nieces, nephews and special friends.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Donna, his parents, Pat and Muriel Callahan, sister Carlyn Callahan, brother, James Callahan, mother and father in-law, William and Cora Easty.
Ted’s Celebration of Life will be held at 3:00 P.M., on Friday, July 23, 2021 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church – 68160 South George St., Iron River, WI 54847 with Pastor Carol Braun officiating. Visitation will be from 2:00 – 3:00 P.M. Friday at church. Inurnment will follow in the Iron River City Cemetery for both Ted and Donna Callahan.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ted Callahan Memorial fund at PO Box 337, Iron River, WI 54847. Donations will be used to purchase items at Our Saviors Lutheran Church. The Roberts Funeral Home in Ashland is assisting the family.