Donna Mae Austin, age 83, of Wisconsin Rapids, Wi passed away early Monday, November 21, 2022 at The Waterford of Wisconsin Rapids.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, November 25, 2022 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Wisconsin Rapids. Rev. Janusz Kowalski will preside. Visitation will take place from 9:30 AM until the time of service at 11:00AM at church. Burial will take place at Forest Hill Mausoleum in Wisconsin Rapids. Ritchay Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Donna was born on March 16, 1939 in the Town of Marathon, WI, to Elroy and Amanda (Hornung) Kurtzweil. A 1957 graduate of Marathon High School, Donna married John H. Austin on September 8, 1962 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Marathon.

Donna was an active member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Wisconsin Rapids, volunteering many years for the annual church picnic and the fish fry. She worked as a cook in the kitchens of the Wisconsin Rapids school district for 25 years, retiring from Lincoln High School in 2007. She enjoyed playing cards and music, including Conway Twitty, Kenny Rogers and Neil Diamond.

Donna is survived by her husband of 60 years, John; her children, James (Robyn) Austin and Sherry (Baird) Reffner; her grandchildren, Casey (fiancé Emily Boevers) Austin, Clayton (Becca Becker) Austin, Colin (Amy) Reffner, and Carter (Mamie Redfearn) Austin; and great-grandchildren Mya and Eli Reffner. She is further survived by her sister Angie Martens, brothers-in-law Lyle Krautkramer and Richard Kienbaum and sister-in-law Elaine Kurtzweil lattoni. She is also survived by brothers-in-law Joseph (Janice) Austin, Leonard (Patricia) Austin and Richard (Jane) Austin and sisters-in-law Ann (Jim) Seubert, Grace Martin, Marion (Jim) Theurer, Kay Raleigh and Dorothy (Allen) Brod. She was predeceased by her parents; in-laws, Howard and Evelyn Austin; siblings Lillian (Fred) Lang, Mary Jane (Richard) Jansen, Lavern Krautkramer, Elaine Kienbaum and Lyle Kurtzweil; and in-laws, Frank (Colleen) Austin and Louie Martin.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Donna’s name.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Father Kowalski and a sincere thank you to the staff at The Waterford, the Aspirus Riverview ICU and ProMedica Hospice.