Mineral Point - Donna Jean Weinbrenner ,age 90, of Mineral Point, passed away on Friday, March 20, 2015, at Upland Hills Health Hospital after a brief illness.
She was born on September 26, 1924, in Scribner NE, the daughter of Charles W. Schultz and Ella Luther Schultz. In 1937 they moved to Fremont, NE where she graduated from High School in May, 1942.
In August, she moved to Chicago, IL with girlfriends from school. She worked at Kraft Cheese and Scott Forsman Publishing Co. She met her future husband Murl Weinbrenner while visiting friends in Mineral Point. They were married on June 16, 1945 at the First United Methodist Church in Mineral Point and farmed in the area. Donna always grew a large garden and raised chickens to sell eggs.
Donna worked at Farmers Savings Bank for over 30 years and after retiring she spent 13 years driving for the Iowa County Commission on Aging. She met many people in her travels and a stranger soon became a friend.
Donna and Murl had five children. Donna loved having family get-togethers, cooking, baking, playing cards, traveling throughout the U.S. and Europe and watching the Packers, Badgers, and Brewers. Mom was thrilled to meet Hall of Famer Eddie Matthews of the Milwaukee Braves-her favorite baseball player. Her favorite activity though was dancing which she still did at the age of 90 with her friends. A highlight of her lifetime was dancing with Lawrence Welk and Myron Floren. She also drove to Fremont, NE each spring and fall to give her mom a hair permanent and enjoy a visit.
Donna is survived by her 3 children, Barry(Clare) of Ocala, FL, Craig(Pernecia Koller)Mineral Point, Denise(Rob)Gevelinger, Barneveld; 10 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband Murl, son Randy, daughter Donna Rae, daughter-in-law Nancy, brothers-Doug, Velgene and Garlan, her parents Charles and Ella Schultz and many other special relatives and friends.
Donna's wishes were to donate her body to science at the Department of Anatomy, The Medical School of UW-Madison for the benefit of others.
Donna's 90th birthday party last September where she welcomed many friends and relatives was a celebration of her life well lived. A private family burial will be held at a later date. Memorials in Donna's name may be made to the Mineral Point Rescue Squad, Fire Department and Public Library. Mom loved Mineral Point and the surrounding communities and what they offered in a great place to live, raise a family, entertain friends and visitors and shop. Her motto was "Till death do us part" and "Take one day at a time".
"Special Thanks" to the Dodgeville Uplands Health Hospital staff for their wonderful care and compassion, the Mineral Point Medical Center, the Dodgeville Rescue Squad, and the Gorgen Funeral Home for their help with arrangements.
Also, "Thank you" to mom's dancing companions that traveled with her to her favorite pastime and all that stopped in, called, sent cards, thought of mom, or said a prayer.