MADISON - Donna L. Elmer, age 79, of Madison, passed away on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, surrounded by her family at home. She was born on November 5, 1946, in Fond du Lac, Wis., the daughter of Donald and Dorothy (Miller) Thorpe. Donna graduated from Oshkosh School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing with the class of 1964. On February 14, 1976, she married LeRoy Elmer. They were just shy of celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary before she passed.

In addition to raising her family, Donna worked doing manual key entry at the William S. Middleton Veterans Hospital for several years, and then moved on to working third shift, processing mail at the U.S. Post Office, retiring in 2011 with a total of over 30 years spent working for the federal government.

Donna was a lifelong member of Our Savior Deaf Lutheran Church. While many in the deaf community may believe that this church no longer exists, we are hoping that God’s work will shine through Donna’s passing, helping to restore the Church to what it once was. She was also a member of the Madison Association of the Deaf for many years, holding the position of vice president at one time. She was active in the Madison Association of the Deaf Woman’s Auxiliary, and the Wisconsin Deaf Campers, which led to well over 20 years of special family camping trips and lasting memories.

In her earlier years, she enjoyed bowling and was in a league for many years when her children were young. She and LeRoy also enjoyed attending the senior citizen breakfast club monthly after retirement.

Donna was very proud to have had two children who served in the United States Marine Corps. She cherished her grandchildren and was very involved in babysitting and raising each and every one of them over the years. She also loved having cats, Emma and JoJo, in her life.

Donna is survived by her husband, LeRoy; daughters, Carrie (Paul Ledin) Elmer and Sherri Elmer; son, Andrew (Jennifer Hight) Elmer; grandchildren, Sydney (Barron Carns) Elmer, Taylor Beckett, Rylee Elmer and Sawyer Elmer; sisters, Kerry (Steve) Sheridan, Jo Wischnewski and Robin (Terry) Fink; sisters-in-law, Nancy Elmer and LaVon Aagard; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; parents-in-law, Leon and Linda Elmer; brother, Paul Thorpe; brothers-in-law, Leon Elmer Jr., Gary Wischnewski and Roy Aagard; niece, Wendy Elmer; nephew, Mike Elmer; and her favorite cat, Felix.

A memorial service will be held at MONONA LUTHERAN CHURCH/OUR SAVIOR DEAF LUTHERAN CHURCH, 4411 Monona Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 10, 2026, with Rev. Nowak presiding. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the start of the service on Saturday. A light lunch will be served following the service; all are encouraged and welcome to attend.

Flowers and memorials may be made to Our Savior Deaf Lutheran Church. A very special thank you from the family to Encompass Heath Rehabilitation Center (Dan!), St. Mary’s Hospital, SSM Health at Home, and finally, Agrace HospiceCare (Melissa and Grace!) - we could not have done this without you. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

Donna L. Elmer

November 05, 1946 - December 24, 2025

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