John P. Donner, age 89, of Spider Lake, WI, passed away on Tuesday, November 29, 2022, at Hayward Area Memorial Hospital surrounded by his family.

John Paul Donner was born August 5, 1933, the son of John and Laura (Witte) Donner in Milwaukee, WI.

John was raised in the Milwaukee area and graduated from Solomon Juneau High School in 1951. John continued his education at Marquette University where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in 1955. On June 11, 1955, John was joined in marriage to Carol L. Russ at Nativity Lutheran Church in Milwaukee. John and Carol honeymooned in the Hayward, WI area where they stayed at a local resort and fished. John began his working career with JCPenny at its Milwaukee downtown store where he began as a manager trainee. His career with JCPenny would take him and his family to Decatur, IL, Joliet, IL, Fon du Lac, WI, Arnold, MO, Des Moines, IA, Omaha, NE, Sterling, IL, Waterloo, IA and Wausau, WI. John would serve as store manager for the last four locations he worked with. John retired in 1992 and he and Carol moved to Spider Lake Township where they had a cabin on Spider Lake since 1976. While living at the cabin John served the community as being a member of the Hayward Area Rotary Club, Jump River Electric Board Member, and Spider Lake Church Council member. While John lived in Waterloo, he was the President of the Goodwill store. John had a deep faith in his Lord and was a member of the Spidermen group at the Spider Lake Church. John was an avid Musky fisherman, and excellent bowler who scored a perfect 300 game, and liked to downhill ski. He loved his family and took them on many camping adventures and road trips out to the western United States. He loved having the Spider Lake Cabin that brought the children and grandchildren home to him and Carol.

John is survived by his wife of 67 years, Carol; five children, John (Sandy) Donner of Cedar Rapids, IA, Kit (Rhonda Jean) Donner of Aurora, IL, Chris (Karen) Donner of Charleston, SC, Scott (Jennifer) Donner of Durham, NC, Robin (Terry) Putts of Hailey, ID; seventeen grandchildren; eighteen great grandchildren; one brother, Eugene Donner of Santa Rosa, CA, Sister, Lorraine Schmidt of Milwaukee, WI; stepsister, Joan Lownebach of Charleston, SC; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A funeral service celebrating John’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 2, 2022, at Spider Lake Church with Pastor Gary Hilgendorf officiating. A visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Friday at the church. Interment will be in the Spider Lake Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Spider Lake Church, 12104 N Lower Twin Lake Road, Hayward, WI 54843.

Last Update: Dec 01, 2022 9:05 am CST