Donna Mae Lehman, 85, of Danbury, WI passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at Diving Nursing and Rehabilitation in St. Croix Falls, WI.

Donna was born February 29, 1936 in Amery, WI to Edward and Grace Dowd. She attended and graduated from Unity School District in 1955. After graduation she married Charles “Chuck” Lehman on October 29, 1955. To this union they welcomed 6 children.

Donna was a homemaker for many years while the family farmed. Our most treasured memory was homemade bread that she prepared weekly. We would get off the school bus and we could smell it as we approached the house so we would race to be the first to get warm buns, fresh from the oven.

As the children grew, Donna began working outside of the home as a cook at the Luck-E. She then went on to work at the Duncan Yo-Yo Factory in Luck, WI. When that was sold to King Koil Mattress Company, she stayed working there until she decided to become a CNA to work in home health care for Polk County.

In 1981 Chuck and Donna moved to Danbury, WI where she continued to work in home health care for Burnett County, where she received recognition for employee of the month as well as 20 years of service.

Donna’s hobbies included snowmobiling, 4 wheeling, fishing, playing cards, playing bingo, bowling and throwing horseshoes. For many years she was one of the best “shoers” in her league. She enjoyed spending time with friends and family, especially the time with the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren that visited and/or camped on the land in Danbury.

Donna was a member of the Legion Auxiliary for 61 years where she completed a National Leadership Course and went on to hold many offices in the auxiliary. She was also very involved with her church. She was also an avid blood donor and over the years, she had donated over 10 gallons of blood.

Chuck and Donna wintered in Arizona for a couple years, then began wintering in Mission, Texas with their dear friends Rod and Millie Hopkins. While in Texas she enjoyed playing shuffleboard.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Grace Dowd; brothers, Art, Laverne and Glen; sister, Lucille; daughter, Debra; and grandsons, Joshawa and River.

She is survived by her loving husband of 66 years, Charles “Chuck” Lehman; children, Barb Cole, Keith (Cheryl) Lehman, Paula (Jake) Foerst, Roger (Shelley) Lehman, Laurie (Ken Nelson) Lehman and son in law, Ken Johnson; 24 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, January 27, 2022 at 11:00 AM (visitation 10-11 AM) at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church in Balsam Lake with Father Gene Murphy as Celebrant. Interment will follow at Holy Rosary Cemetery in Georgetown. A luncheon will follow.

Arrangements were entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster.

Last Update: Jan 20, 2022 12:43 pm CST