Donna Rae Stevenson
December 31, 1935 - November 01, 2015
Obituary
MADISON-Donna Stevenson, age 79, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015. She was born on Dec. 31, 1935, in Madison, the daughter of Melvin and Eleanor (Lien) Herreid. Donna graduated from Madison East High School in 1953 and the University of Wisconsin in 1957. She also did post graduate work at Western Washington and UW-Madison where she was a teaching assistant. Donna taught elementary school for seven years in Washington, California and Madison. In 1963, she married Sanford "Sandy" Stevenson and they lived in the Mt. Horeb area where they owned and operated Tyrol Basin Ski Area. Their daughter, Nancy was born in 1966. Donna taught school for seven years and worked at the Mt. Horeb Public Library for 21 years. After living in the Mt. Horeb area for 42 years, Sandy and Donna moved to a retirement condo in McFarland. Her interests were family and friends. Donna and Nancy visited family in Norway in 2007 and she and her friends traveled on day trips and extended vacations after she was widowed. While in Mt. Horeb she enjoyed belonging to Monica Circle for 40 years at the Mt. Horeb ELC and taught vacation bible school. Donna was a long-time member of an eight member birthday luncheon group. She was a member of the Women's Health Initiative, Olbrich Gardens and Koshkonong Prairie Historical Society. Donna also volunteered in the Art Therapy Dept. at Oakwood West, the church library, and made birthday visits to those over 80 at the McFarland Lutheran Church. Donna also enjoyed being a member of a book club at Skaalen Village. Donna is survived by her daughter, Nancy of Washington, D.C.; and special cousins, Patti (Perry) Hellum, Bill (Pat) Carlson and Fran Anderson. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Sandy in 2005; brother-in-law, Ted Stevenson; and sister-in-law, Helen Sullivan. Funeral services will be held at MCFARLAND LUTHERAN CHURCH, 5529 Marsh Rd, McFarland, at 11 a.m., on Friday, Nov. 6, 2015. Visitation will be held at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608)221-5420
Events
Visitation
Fri Nov 6, 2015 @ 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
McFarland Lutheran Church • 5529 Marsh Rd., Mc Farland, WI 53558
Service
Fri Nov 6, 2015 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT
McFarland Lutheran Church • 5529 Marsh Rd., Mc Farland, WI 53558
Photos
No photos of Donna have been shared yet.
Memories
LC
Linda M Colby
Other •
I worked with Donna at the Mount Horeb Public Library. She was a kind and beautiful person. My husband, Dave, and I enjoyed the company of both Donna and Sandy. Our deepest sympathies to the family.
JR
jill rueth
Other •
Dear Nancy,
I'm so sorry to hear that your mom passed away. I have such fond memories of her when we were friends in grade school and high school skiing at Tyrol and hanging out at your house. Your mom was so wonderfully warm and welcoming and always had a smile on her face. My deepest sympathies to you.
Jill (Scott) Rueth
Chicago, IL
PC
Pam Cairney
Other •
I am so sorry to hear of Donna's passing. I really enjoyed working with her at the Mount Horeb Public Library. She was such a kind, caring, and enjoyable person. May God give you comfort at this time.
Pam Cairney
PJ
Penny Jacobsen
Other •
Nancy, I was totally shocked to hear about your mom! We drove our Motor Home to Arizona so I had no access to a Madison Newspaper. I didn't even know she was ill. I'm so sorry for your great loss. Your mom was very special to me as we always enjoyed our mother's Birthday Group lunches. Now that our moms are gone we still met and had great conversations and great times. I was Clara Hare's daughter and she enjoyed your grandma and your mom so much. I also played the organ for your dad's funeral and would have loved to play for your mom's as well. I wish only the best for you and God Bless you always!
Penny Jacobsen
RF
Ruth Huseboe Fiske
Other •
Dear Nancy, Your Mom and I have been in touch the last few years reminiscing about our high school class ... we also were in grade school together at Marquette, and both Lutheran s too! It was always fun to have a note from her about our classmates, or plans for a reunion or gathering, I hadn't had replies to my latest e-mails, and was looking forward to visiting Wisconsin again and catching up with Donna. Please accept my most sincere condolences.
Ruth Huseboe Fiske
PB
Patricia Lien Buschette
Other •
My name is Patricia Lien Buschette. It is only this morning that I encountered Donna's obituary as I searched for her name. Her name was on information relating to a Lien family reunion, and I so hoped to make a connection. I do hope to reach a member of her family. Perhaps I could connect with Nancy.