Obit: Kuehn, Donna Rae (1934 - 2018)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Kuehn, Burt, Christensen, Raudenbush, Weichelt, Voight, Schultz, St. Claire, McGuire, Galetka, Genteman, Verkilen, Piskow, Zimmerman

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 11/14/2018

Kuehn, Donna Rae (6 September 1934 – 10 November 2018)

Donna Rae Kuehn joined her Heavenly Father on November 10, 2018, passing peacefully at home surrounded by family.

Donna was born September 6, 1934 the daughter of Fredrick and Almira (Burt) Christensen of Carry Bluff. She grew up on a large farm near Arpin, where she attended North Hansen Country School and graduated from Pittsville High School in 1952. She continued her education at Wood County Normal School in Wisconsin Rapids earning an Associate’s Degree in Teaching. She then taught at Dairy Belt Country School near Arpin and at Far View School in Marshfield. While growing up, Donna was an avid 4-H member winning many awards, achieving state level Clothing Review. She later became an inspiring 4-H club leader.

She married the love of her life Gerald Kuehn on June 23, 1956 at United Brethren Church, Marshfield. They were united for 57 years and had 2 boys, Dennis and Dale. The Cunningham Country School (Clark County) became their loving home. During this time, Donna was a stay-at-home-mother and substitute teacher. When Gerald started Kuehn Sawmill and Forest Products, she became the secretary for 47 years. Furthermore, she took a full-time teaching position at Granton School and simultaneously earned her Bachelor of Arts at UW-Stevens Point. She was a dedicated teacher in the Granton Area School District for 37 years until her retirement in 2000.

Donna was an active part of the community and church was an important part of her life. She was a member of Zion American Lutheran Church of Granton where she taught Sunday school, Confirmation and Bible School and participated in Ladies Aid and BOFT. Outside of church she was a part of the Highground volunteers, Ladies Auxiliary of Neillsville, Granton Antique Tractor Club, Couples bowling leagues, and was honored citizens of the Granton Fall Festival.

Donna loved flowers, gardening, canning, sewing, crocheting, playing the organ, watching her husband and sons snowmobile race, and camping on family owned land at Carry Bluff. She cherished her time spent with friends and family especially being actively involved with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

As a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, teacher and friend, with a beautiful heart, she touched and influenced many individuals throughout her life.

Donna is survived by a son, Dennis (Londa) Kuehn of Neillsville, a special daughter, Bev (Bobbi) Raudenbush of Illinois, grandchildren Troy (Chanarat) Kuehn of Neillsville, Craig Kuehn of San Antonio, TX, Liana (Jessup) Weichelt of Ontonagon, MI, Kendall (Heather) Kuehn of Pittsville. Great-Grandchildren Colin and Seth Kuehn, Lluvy Weichelt, Lovella Kuehn, Novalee Weichelt, Kaven Kuehn, J.C. Weichelt, Brylar Kuehn, and Taywa Kuehn. Her Sister Lorrayne Voight, Arpin, many nieces and nephews and her beloved dog, Scooter.

She is preceded in death by her husband Gerald, son Dale, her parents, her siblings Grace (Elmer) Schultz and Shirley (Keith) St. Claire, Vearl Christensen and Ronald (Chun) Christensen, brother-in-law Roy Voight, nieces Susan Voight and Barb McGuire, and nephew Vance Voight.

Visitation will take place Thursday, November 15, 2018 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Gesche Funeral Home, Neillsville. On Friday, visitations will be at Zion American Lutheran Church, Granton, from 10 to 11 a.m. with the funeral to follow with Pastor Dan Zimmerman officiating. Interment will be in the Zion American Lutheran Church Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be Troy Kuehn, Craig Kuehn, Kendall Kuehn, Jessup Weichelt, Joe Galetka and Eric Voight.

The family gives our heartfelt thanks to all of the wonderful people who helped with the care of our sweet Donna: Camille Genteman, Bethany VerKilen, Sandy Piskow and Hospice Homecare Staff.

Memorials may be given in Donna’s honor to Granton School District Foundation, Inc.