Douglas (Doug) Lynn Short
Douglas (Doug) Lynn Short of Burlington, Wisconsin, was born on February 7, 1955. After a brief illness caused by a silent and aggressive cancer, he bravely and peacefully left this life on July 22nd, 2025.
He was surrounded by his family, both in person and in spirit.
Doug was born in Gladwin, Michigan to Alonzo “Pete” and Virginia Short.
In his formative years, he grew up on a dairy farm alongside his six siblings.
He always had various jobs and sometimes more than one that included working on the farm, at the local IGA, or Ace Hardware.
Doug loved many sports growing up, softball was a passion and he and his best high school buddy had a long-standing tennis rivalry. After graduating from Gladwin High School, Doug attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor (UM), earning both a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Master of Business Administration in Finance.
He was equally proud to be an intramural ping-pong champ while at the UM.
It was during his college years at the UM that he met the love of his life, Tracy Lee Krapohl. He worked as a busboy at her sorority, Pi Beta Phi (conveniently located across the street from Doug’s apartment building). Doug was a member of the Psi Upsilon Fraternity and was respected and cherished by his brothers “In the Bonds”. It was pretty much love at first sight for Doug and Tracy sharing what was to be almost 50 years of partnership rooted in deep love and friendship; teammates in every sense.
Just being together was good enough. They were married on June 30, 1979 in Jackson, Michigan. Because they needed to start work right away, they drove all night after their wedding to hop the car ferry from Ludington, Michigan to Milwaukee. But Doug was always a University of Michigan fan (Go Blue!), and rooting for the Wisconsin Badgers only happened if they played Michigan State University.
Doug’s professional life spanned over four decades and was spent largely in the banking and finance industry starting in Milwaukee and later finishing in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. He was an entrepreneur and owned/operated several small businesses in the Southeast Wisconsin area.
After his first retirement, Doug worked part-time at Menards until the end of 2023 when he joined Tracy in her retirement. He was a man devoted to service.
A constant presence in the Burlington community (having moved to the area in 1996), he volunteered his time and unassuming leadership to many local organizations; he didn’t need to be in the spotlight.
These included the Waterford Lion’s Club, Burlington Rotary Club (earning distinction as a Paul Harris Fellow), The Burlington Chocolate Fest, Burlington Junior Lady Demons, Burlington United Methodist Church and wherever and whenever called upon to lend a hand. Doug was the kind of man who would provide gentle guidance to people and always went the extra mile in anything he did. His integrity, compassion, and honesty were without question.
Doug’s personal interests reflected both his curiosity and competitive spirit. He loved an educated debate on nearly any topic. Doug was an author spending several years writing and publishing a book called: “Religion Redefined”. He also wrote to government officials laying out well researched and factual arguments challenging injustices where he saw them. Doug was a cutthroat card, backgammon, and “iPhone” Scrabble player and a virtual Risk game aficionado. Being always in excellent and fit shape, he found his true passion on the Pickleball court, sometimes playing seven days per week, hoping to reach the ever-elusive higher DUPR rating. Just one week before his cancer diagnosis (a month ago), he was hard at it on the court. Doug taught Pickleball for the Aurora Wellness Center.
Doug found great joy spending time with his family and traveling across the country to see them as often as possible. He liked visiting other countries and learning about people and cultures. His family sponsored three foreign exchange students over the years. Having recently purchased a pop-up camper, Doug and Tracy took many trips to the State Parks.
Doug always packed a Pickleball racquet in the trunk of the car or in checked luggage, ready for a quick Pickleball match anywhere he might be going within the United States.
Above all, and the most important thing that Doug will be remembered for, is as a loving and supportive husband, a devoted father, and a proud and adored Papa. He is a cherished brother, uncle, brother-inlaw, and son-in-law. Doug supported his in-laws as if they were his own family by managing their business affairs, going to doctor’s appointments, and taking rides with his father-in-law to pick up food from Culver’s. His love for his family was deep and abiding. He supported his wife’s and children’s dreams ensuring their well-being and this was his life’s goal and achievement. His favorite saying to his children as he roused them from their beds was “rise and shine” at which point they would know it was time to get up for the day whether they were ready to or not. Life’s too precious and too short to miss any minute of it.
With quiet strength and a strong spirit, Doug led by example: always present, generous, and supportive. His calm demeanor and unspoken resilience grounded those around him, while his sense of humor and contagious laugh lifted spirits. His life leaves behind a legacy defined by love, service, and steadfast commitment to those he held close. A true definition of a wealthy man.
In the waning minutes of Doug’s life, he whispered in his last breaths, “I love you; I love you; I love you”. We are blessed to have family together, so thankful for the support of so many during this difficult time. Love is all any of us really need.
Love lasts through eternity.
A life taken too soon, Doug is preceded in death by his parents, Pete and Virginia Short; brother, Paul Short; sister, Diane Mahanty; brother-in-law, Graydon Krapohl; and father-in-law, Andrew Krapohl. He is survived by his wife, Tracy (Krapohl) Short; his children: Lindsay (Denny) Schroeder, Ryan (Megan) Short, and Hayley (Taylor) Warden; grandchildren: James Schroeder and Tate Schroeder. Doug is also survived by his sisters: Debra (David) Campbell, Sue (Ernest) Mycko, Beverly (Daniel) Sugarbaker, and Marilyn (Brent) Meyer; his motherin- law, Patricia Averill Krapohl; and in-laws: Walter Krapohl, Kelly Krapohl, Kaye Krapohl, Greta Krapohl and Profulla Mahanty. He leaves behind thirteen nieces and nephews whom he cherished.
With Tracy, they would go to great lengths to attend niece and nephew weddings held around the country. When needed, he always was available with “Uncle Doug” advice and a hug.
The Short family extends its sincerest gratitude to all the medical professionals serving the Aurora Burlington Medical Center’s Emergency Department, Medical Surgical Unit, and ICU for their extraordinary care and compassion. A special thank you to the Aurora Vince Lombardi Cancer Center team based in Burlington, headed by Dr. Shamsuddin Virani, and to the Aurora at Home Hospice program.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, memorial contributions in Doug’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society - Wisconsin by following this link: https:// www.cancer.org/about-us/ local/wisconsin.html A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held on Wednesday, August 27 at Schuette-Daniels Funeral Home in Burlington, WI.
Open visitation will begin at 4 p.m. with a brief ceremony from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Schuette-Daniels Funeral
Home & Crematory 625 Browns Lake Drive Burlington, WI 53105 262-763-3434 www.danielsfamilyfuneral.com