Donna Mae Hardenberg

Apologies for posting this in 2025, but today I sat with my mom on Donna´s bench on Beaver Island, and I felt drawn to learning her story. She sounded like such a remarkable person, and her life was so well lived. I´m honored to be a new property owner near her beloved beach facing Garden Island. An islander myself, I was so touched by her story. I´ll always think of her when I walk down to North Shore Park and enjoy the view from that bench. Love to all her family and wonderful friends. May her memory be a blessing.

-Kate Wojan

Donna,high school librarian in Byron, Michigan ranks right up there with my most unforgettable people. I was 23, and it was my first teaching job. Two of us carpooled with Donna for 6 years in the 70's (never a dull conversation moment, as those who know Donna can attest). Sometimes in a snowstorm, the teachers from Lansing had to form a convoy going home. Donna had a reliable Ford pinto , which , thankfully , did not burst into flames as many of them did. She was comfortable with everyone. Her relationships with students, as their librarian was, well..., simply put, they loved her. One of the graduating classes planted a shade tree for her outside the library in her honor ( hope it's still there... does anyone know?). Sometimes, on a Friday.. we would be chomping at the bit to leave after school. Donna would finally join us at the car saying "You'd be surprised how many kids need a book to get them through the weekend." Jan Peterson