MADISON - Donna Jean Jodar, age 89, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 3, 2025. She was born on June 19, 1936, in Madison, the daughter of Leo and Belva (Hotmar) Purcell.

Donna attended St. Bernard Catholic Church grade school, Edgewood High School, and received a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Dominican College in Racine, Wis. She taught elementary school along with teaching catechism classes. She was involved in several church activities and was extremely skilled in making handmade crafts, including sewing, knitting and crocheting. She also loved to plant and to take gambling trips to the casino.

Donna was a member of St. Bernard Cathedral Church most of her life where she received First Communion, Confirmation, and was a member of the last 8th grade class to graduate from the first church school. She married Jerome Jodar on June 18, 1966, and together they had three children.

Donna is survived by her husband of 59 years, Jerome; children, Julie (Brian) Learned, Daniel Jodar and Jill (Joel Goldfoot) Jodar; grandsons, Justin Terry and Nathan (Jeryn) Learned; great-grandchildren, Violet and Charlotte; brother, Michael (Donna) Purcell; and sister-in-law Maggie Purcell. She was preceded in death by her parents Belva and Leo; and her brother, Robert.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5101 Schofield St., Monona, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, with Father Michael Radowicz presiding. Burial will take place at Resurrection Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Tuesday.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

Donna Jean Jodar

June 19, 1936 - August 03, 2025

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