Donna Austin

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

Donna was born on March 16, 1939, in the Town of Marathon, 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, brothersin- law: Lyle Krautkramer and Richard Kienbaum, and sister-in-law, Elaine Kurtzweil Iattoni. She is also survived by brothers-in-law: Joseph (Janice) Austin, Leonard (Patricia) Austin and Richard (Jane) Austin and sistersin- 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.

A funeral service was held Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Wisconsin Rapids. Rev. Janusz Kowalski presided. Burial was at Forest Hill Mausoleum in Wisconsin Rapids. Ritchay Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Paid obituary 129490