Donna Rothbarth

DONNA M. ROTHBARTH

Donna M. Rothbarth, age 85, of Winona, and formerly of Cochrane, WI, passed away on Monday, April 3, 2017, at Lake Winona Manor.

She was born on July 4, 1931, in Yaeger’s Valley near Waumandee, WI, to Christ and Ella (Clavaditcher) Adank, and was a graduate of the Cochrane High School.  Donna was united in marriage to Vernon Rothbarth on July 2, 1955, in Pepin, WI, and he preceded her in death in 1998.

Donna was employed for many years with the Winona Knitting Mills, and later worked as a resident assistant with Cotter High School’s International Student Program.

She was a member of the Eagles Auxiliary in Winona, and served as the Auxiliary President for the 5th District.  She was a former member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Alma, and was currently a member of Central Lutheran Church in Winona.

Donna will be remembered for her love of traveling, and always taking the back roads on car trips.  She was devoted to visiting the gravesites of family members in area cemeteries on Memorial Day, and made sure that they were remembered with freshly planted flowers.  Donna was very kindhearted, and she always put the needs of others before her own.  She will be deeply missed by all those who knew and loved her.

Donna is survived by her children: Neil (Elayne) Rothbarth, Worthington, MN; John (Amanda) Rothbarth, Anchorage, AK; and Kari (Eugene) Mueller, Minnesota City, MN; 10 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; 2 nieces: Shirley Sandvig, Wilson, MN; and Lois Kelley, Rockford, IL; as well as other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; son, Kevin; daughter, Lori; and sisters: Ione Misch and Olive Knospe.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, April 7, 2017, at Central Lutheran Church in Winona.  The Reverend Lanny Westphal will officiate.

Donna will be laid to rest in the Buffalo City Public Cemetery in Buffalo City, WI.

Visitation will be held at the Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home on Thursday, April 6, 2017, from 4 PM until 7 PM, where Pastor Westphal will lead a prayer service at 6:30 PM.  Visitation will also be held at Central Lutheran Church on Friday, April 7, 2017, from 9:30 AM until the time of the service.

Pallbearers will be: Roger Eide, Jeremy Eide, Bob Anderson, Craig Anderson, Sam Crowson, and B.J. Skugrud.  The honorary pallbearer will be Kevin Baker.

Donna’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff of Lake Winona Manor for the excellent and loving care that she received.

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