Donna Lee Downing, 71, of Sparta passed away Friday, June 2, 2017, at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse.
She was the first-born daughter to Adolph and Esther (Thonesen) Vlasak on May 31, 1946, in Hillsboro. Donna attended Warner School and graduated from Royall High School in Elroy. She married Richard Downing on June 25, 1966. Richard preceded her in death July 13, 1973. Donna worked at Fort McCoy as a payroll clerk for 21 years and worked at Walmart for eight years. Donna also volunteered at Mayo Clinic in Sparta. She loved to play bingo, listen to karaoke, visit with neighbors, and watch Packers football and Brewers baseball on TV.
Donna is survived by her two daughters, Wendy (Paul) Ahles and Brenda (Roger) Matson; four grandchildren, Kristine Ahles, Joseph Ahles, Connor Matson and Jordan Matson; her mother, Esther Vlasak; and her special friend, Cliff Heimke. She is further survived by her two brothers, Roger (Cheryl) Vlasak and Steven (friend Laura) Vlasak; her three sisters, Barbara (Edward) Tomlinson, Rebecca (William) Sheridan and Shelly (friend Nick) Edwards; her brother-in-law, Gaylord (Irene) Downing; her sisters-in-law, Jeanette Harper, Barb Downing, Linda Downing and Lucy Downing; five nieces; six nephews; and many other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her faithful husband, Richard Downing; her beloved dad, Adolph Vlasak; three infant sisters; her sisters-in-law, Sherry Vlasak and Sharon Burmaster; her brothers-in-law, Ernest (Roberta) Downing, David Downing, Ronald Downing, Roger Downing and Gene Downing; and a niece, Erin Tomlinson.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Monday, June 12, at United Methodist Church in Sparta, with Rev. Rey Diaz officiating. Interment will follow in Mount Tabor Cemetery in rural Hillsboro.
Family and friends may visit from 4–7 p.m. Sunday, June 11, at the Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home in Sparta and at the church on Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of services. Online condolences may be offered to the Downing family at www.schanhoferfh.com.
The Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home in Sparta is assisting the family with arrangements.
