Donna J. Roche

Donna June Roche of Briggsville/Rio, passed away on Palm Sunday, April 5, 2020 at the age of 88 surrounded by her loving family at her lake home in Briggsville. She was born June 13, 1931 to Robert and Kathryn Kirch.

Donna graduated from Mount Horeb High School in 1949. On September 6, 1952 she married Gene Roche at St. Raphael’s Cathedral in Madison.  By this union they were blessed with seven children. Donna was never afraid of hard work. Although she held many jobs throughout her lifetime her most rewarding and cherished were those of farming, homemaker, wife, and mother.  Donna loved being a grandma, great grandma, great great grandma; but, never considered that a job. In 1981, Gene and Donna purchased their “cottage” on Lake Mason in Briggsville.  Any time spent there was always filled with family and friends, fun, laughter, card games galore, and time spent on the water on their pontoon boat. All of these times and these events turned into precious memories that they cherished.

Donna enjoyed and was still participating in playing cards, bowling, going to the casino, going out to eat, and traveling right up until the time of her death.  She loved spending time with family and friends. She loved cooking and entertaining. One of her admired attributes was being informed on very short notice of a large gathering and putting together a feast along with a presentation worthy of as if it had been months in the planning. Donna also spent much of her life as a caregiver at various levels.  In 2010, Gene suffered a stroke and she became a full time caregiver to him.  She demonstrated her love, caring, tenderness, strength and patience by caring for him at home right up until the time he passed in 2015. In doing so she granted him his greatest gift by allowing him to remain in his home.

Survivors include her six children, Dennis (special friend Connie), Carolyn (Doug) Severson, Gerry (Lisa), Kathy (Bob) Schoenherr, Shelly, John (Deb); daughter-in-law Lori; eleven grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, one great-great grandson; three sisters, one brother. Donna was preceded in death by her husband Gene, her parents, her son Tom, a grandson in-law, two brothers, two sisters; her parents-in-law and other relatives and friends.

Due to the current pandemic, private services and inurnment will be held. “Mom, in our hearts you hold a place no one will ever fill . . . until we are together again"  

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