Donna M. Kotlarz

Donna Marie Kotlarz, 74, died unexpectedly September 8, 2024, in her home in Monticello, MN. 

She was born September 20, 1949, in Heron Lake, MN. She was the daughter of Herman and Pauline (Alexander) Appel of Heron Lake, and was the foster daughter of Nat and Mary Ann (Prondzinski) Miller of Winona.

Donna graduated from Winona High School. Following graduation, she went on to beauty school at Winona Area Vocational-Technical Institute and worked as a beautician at JC Penney in Winona. She married her high school sweetheart Gary Kotlarz on October 5, 1974. Donna later worked as a Para at Hutchinson public schools for several years where she made many friends.

In addition to her parents, and foster mother Mary Ann Miller, she is preceded in death by her sisters: Lisa Pitts and Joyce Barron; brother: Michael Miller; and nephew: Joseph Villnow. Surviving in addition to her father, Nat Miller, are her sisters: Lauri Cowell, Lynn Engrav, Liz Villnow, and Barb Appel; brothers: Donald Appel and Bill Appel; children: Mark Kotlarz, Craig Kotlarz, and Paul Kotlarz; and grandchildren: Gavin Birr, Kendra Kotlarz, Evan Kotlarz, and Tessa Kotlarz; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She enjoyed traveling, sewing, her friends, and playing with her grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 9:30 AM until the funeral service at 11 AM on Friday, September 20, 2024, at the Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home, 376 East Sarnia Street, Winona. The Very Reverend Mark C. McNea will officiate. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Online condolences or memories may be left for Donna’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.