- Hanegraaf, Don na C.Donna C. Hanegraaf, age 76, passed away peacefully after a short illne ss on February 19, 2006, at St. Paul Home, Kaukauna with family by her sid e. Donna was born in Little Chute, Wisconsin, on December 10, 1929, daught er of the late Willard and Mildred (Kobussen) Van Handel. She married Gr eg Hanegraaf on August 16, 1951.Donna had a passion for life. After graduating from St. Agnes School of Nu rsing in Fond du Lac, she embarked on a career as a registered nurse. Fir st working in Colorado Springs and then as an Obstetrics and Gynecology Nu rse at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Appleton. After taking time off to rai se her children, she helped manage Hillcrest Meats and Catering with her h usband Greg. She was a vibrant lady with an infectious laugh and a wonderf ul sense of humor, even to the end. She was of the opinion that one shou ld be totally used up at the end of life, for life is to be lived to its f ullest. She truly lived this motto. Donna had an enthusiasm for history, r eading and the Green Bay Packers. She loved to travel the country and Euro pe. She enjoyed movies, the performing arts, playing bridge, cribbage, bow ling and golf. She cherished her family and her relationships with friend s, especially her nursing school buddies and children of all ages. Donna a cted on her convictions in her community, volunteering for the Appleton Po lice Department Victim Crisis Response program and recently campaigni ng in support of a presidential candidate.Besides her parents, Donna was preceded in death by her sister Mary Ann V an Handel, her husband Greg Hanegraaf, and her brother-in-law Lloyd Vand en Heuvel.She is survived by her four children: Michael (Tracy) Hanegraaf of Dallast own, PA; Paul (Cindy) Hanegraaf of London, England; Phil (Sue) Hanegra af of Aurora, IL; and Jill (Bill) Hanegraaf-Staffeld of Neenah, WI; by h er sisters: Jane Vanden Heuvel and Elaine (Duane) Hennes; and by eight won derful grandchildren: Shawn, Matthew (Kara), Andrew, Dana Clair, Kathry n, Eric, Anneke and Stefan.Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, February 22, 200 6, at St. Paul Catholic Church, Combined Locks, with Rev. Jim Lucas offici ating. Friends may call at the Verkuilen Funeral Home Tuesday fr om 5 to 8 p.m. and again at the church on Wednesday one hour prior to t he mass. There will also be a prayer service Tuesday evening at 8 p. m. at the funeral home.In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to create a children 's room in the Kimberly Public Library and expand the children's book coll ection, including bilingual Spanish/English books. Memorial donations m ay be sent to Jill Hanegraaf-Staffeld, 2409 Brantwood Drive, Neenah, WI 54 956.Donna's family would like to extend their sincere thanks for the care a nd support that both Donna and family received from the skilled staf fs at Appleton Medical Center, St. Paul Elder Service and ThedaCare Hospic e. They brought great comfort to Donna in the last two months of her lif e.VERKUILEN FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES Little Chute 920-788-3321
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1929 - 2006 (76 years)
Education - High School
