Donna M. Reed, age 85, of rural Tigerton passed away Sunday, February 28, 2021 at her home.
The former Donna May Gartzke was born on June 12, 1935 in Manawa to William and Geraldine (Timm) Gartzke. She grew up in the Manawa area, graduated from Manawa High School, and went on to attend Nursing classes in Milwaukee. Donna met the love of her life Duane W. Reed at Bear Lake and they were united in marriage on August 19, 1955.
In 1960, Donna and Duane built a home in Greendale, Wisconsin. She was employed as a teacher’s aide for close to 15 years with the Greendale School District. Then she worked as an administrative secretary for about 5 years at Krones Packaging Inc. in Franklin, until retiring in the early 1980’s. The couple moved north and in 1985 built a home in the Town of Morris, Shawano County.
Donna was a member of Our Shepherd Lutheran Church, Greendale, and is currently a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Bowler. In her early days, she served as a Girl Scout and Brownie Troop leader. She enjoyed making beautiful quilts, working on all sorts of craft projects, and baking, especially desserts like cakes and cookies. Donna could get along with anyone and will be remembered most as a devoted wife, a loving mother, and a proud grandmother and great grandmother.
Survivors include her husband of 65 years, Duane, and two daughters, Terry Wiskes of Wittenberg and Jeri (Gerald) Hartman of Winslow, Arkansas. There are five grandchildren; Jeffrey (Marnee) Henry, Jessica Wiskes, Jennifer Wiskes, Justin Wiskes, and Ashden White; and one great grandson, Tanner Bakker. She is further survived by one brother, William (Ginny) Gartzke of Manawa; a sister-in-law, Eileen (Ray) Peterson of Waupaca; a brother-in-law, Lyn (Bonnie) Reed of Mountain; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents; a son-in-law, Michael Wiskes; sister-in-law, Ginny Gartzke; and brother-in-law, Martin Reed.
Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, March 4th at 11:00 AM at Beil-Didier Funeral Home, Tigerton, with Rev. Mark Hesse officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 10:30 AM until time of service at the funeral home.
Memorials are preferred to St. Paul Lutheran Church, 201 E. Wall St., Bowler, WI 54416. Please go to www.beil-didier.com to sign the online guestbook or to send a card to the family.
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