Stephen Donahue

STEPHEN R. DONAHUE

Stephen R. Donahue, age 66, of Winona, passed away on Saturday, January 9, 2016, in the comfort of his home.

He was the first born of Frederick and Emerine (Lukaszewski) Donahue on March 22, 1949, in Winona.  He was joined by his siblings Cindy, Tim and Ellen, as well as various cats and dogs.

Steve worked at Linahans, Wasons, Goodson, the Knights of Columbus as a custodian, newspaper carrier, Alty’s Maintenance, Winona Manufacturing, and finally at RTP from where he retired, only to find out that he had stage four lung cancer.

He married Mary Galewski on September 20, 1986, and they were blessed with their daughter Valerie on June 30, 1987.

Steve sang with the Winona Barbershoppers for over 18 years, and also with the choir of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart.  He dabbled with model railroad layouts and loved every train that he saw.  His greatest excitement was “playing on the big trains” in Osceola, WI, with the Minnesota Transportation Museum, where he was a member.

He was very dedicated to his church – while growing up, he served as an altar boy at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church; and as a member of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Steve was active as a lector, usher, and he also enjoyed volunteering as a BINGO worker and for the annual bazaar.

Steve is survived by his wife, Mary; daughter, Valerie; brother, Tim (Lee) Donahue; sisters: Cindy (Mike) Gilbertson; and Ellen (Steve) Modjeski; nephews: Chris Gilbertson and Christopher Donahue; nieces: Jessica (John) Meyer; Sara (Zack) Fellman; Megan Modjeski; and Alexandra Modjeski; as well as other relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:30 AM on Friday, January 15, 2016, at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart.  The Reverend Monsignor Richard M. Colletti will officiate.

Steve will be laid to rest in the spring at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Visitation will be held at the Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home on Thursday, January 14, 2016, from 3 PM until 6 PM, where a Christian Wake Service will be held at 6 PM.  Visitation will also be held at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart on Friday, January 15, 2016, from 9:30 AM until the time of the Mass.

It is respectfully suggested that memorials be considered in lieu of flowers.

Steve’s family would like to thank the Oncology Department of the Gundersen Health System, and Winona Health Hospice for the wonderful care that he received.

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