Donna M. Gallagher

Donna M.  Gallagher, age 83 passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Tuesday May 30, 2017. Donna was born on May 15, 1934 to George and Doris (Barry) Smith in Pardeeville, WI.

Donna was born and raised in Pardeeville and had a strong love for her community. After graduating High School in 1952 Donna moved to Madison with her girlfriends. She worked for the Nash garage and Schmidt’s Auto. Donna loved to dance and met the love of her life on the dance floor of Turner Hall. Donna and Leo were married on June 26, 1954. Once her children were in school Donna went to work at Dane County Social Services.  In 1979 she purchased Calhoon’s and renamed it Donna’s Variety Store in Pardeeville where she had fun serving the community and socializing. She retired from her business in 1995 and enjoyed retirement in her hometown surrounded by family and friends.

Donna was a member of the Pardeeville Area Business Association where she faithfully served and supported the Hometown 4th of July parade and fireworks, the Watermelon Festival and other community activities. She served on the Memorial Committee at the Pardeeville United Methodist Church and supported her local hometown sports and musical performances. Donna had a love for music, her family, her class of 1952 friends and baseball.

She is survived by her loving children, Kurt Gallagher of Madison, Cheryl (Gerry) Hauser of Sun Prairie, Julie Gallagher of Sun Prairie, Dan (Beth ) Gallagher of Pardeeville;  16 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; Sister-in-law Betty Lou Smith; Brother-in-laws, Lawrence (Helen) Gallagher of Platteville, WI, Pat (Jan) Gallagher of Durand, IL; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Leo, brothers, LaMar and Merwyn Smith, sister-in-law Sara Smith and her beloved niece Gena Smith.

Funeral services for Donna will be held Monday, June 5 at 11 AM at the United Methodist Church in Pardeeville with Rev. Kerry Wilson officiating. Interment will follow at Pardeeville Cemetery. Visitation will be held Sunday, June 4 from 4 to 7 PM at Grasse Funeral Home in Pardeeville. Visitation will also be held Monday from 10 AM until the time of services at the church. Memorials can be made to the family and will be used towards seats at the Pardeeville Area Schools Fine Arts Center and the Alzheimer’s & Dementia Alliance.

A special thank you to the staff at the facilities that have cared for Donna as her disease progressed these past 4 years, especially the At Home Again, Rio staff, you loved her like your own and made her comfortable in the final weeks of her life.

One day we pray there will be a cure for this deadly disease that robs body, mind and memory – Even though outwardly our loved ones may not remember the way they used to – We as their family and friends have a privilege to keep their memories alive for the future generations. Love people for who they are today even when their memories have been erased.

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