Donna (nee Blau) Mitcheltree, 88 of Crete, Illinois passed away on Thursday, July 28, 2022.  She is survived by her loving sons, Mark and David; her sister, Marleen (Blau) Alexander; and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband, William Mitcheltree (1997) and her oldest son, Daniel Mitcheltree (1986).

Donna went to school at Luther North High School and Valparaiso University and then completed her nursing degree at Northwestern University in Chicago in 1955.  Once there at NMH, she started work as a pediatric nurse and just absolutely loved working with the newborn babies in the ward.

But God had other plans for her and in 1956 she married the love of her life, Bill, after randomly meeting him at the hospital.  Right away, they desired to have children and in July 1957 Daniel was born and in August 1958, Mark came along.  Finally, after they returned from active duty in the US Air Force in South Carolina, Bill contracted his own medical/dental building to be erected and he started his dental practice in Dolton, Illinois. It was at that time that David was born in July 1963.

After building their dream home in 1969 in Crete, Illinois, Donna became very active in the Crete Woman’s Club, her children’s school and sports activities, her weekly tennis group and her church, Trinity Lutheran.  It was at the church where she counseled young women in their teens and 20’s for 12 years at the Lutherans for Life Pregnancy Clinic.  She often commented that it was the most rewarding work she had ever done, while working alongside her good friend, Myrna Stein.

Donna loved animals and especially enjoyed watching the deer in her backyard.  She loved gardening and growing flowers.  Through the years,  Donna became a master cook and expert baker.  Her coconut cream pie is legendary!

We will greatly miss her gentle, loving spirit.

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