Donna G. Benson

Donna G. Benson, age 75, of Green Bay, WI, passed away Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at the Unity Hospice Jack and Engrid Meng Residence, De Pere, WI, following a short illness. She was born October 18, 1947, in Medford, WI, daughter of the late Lee and Joyce (Marcott) Nelson.
She graduated from Medford High School in 1965 and from Taylor County Teachers College in 1967, beginning her teaching career as a fourth grade teacher in Ladysmith, WI. In 1970 Donna received her bachelor's degree from Wisconsin State University-Eau Claire and later a master's degree from UW-Eau Claire. She taught in the Medford school district for many years and then in the Wausau area until she retired in 2007.
Donna's commitment to youth education and development extended beyond her career as she led 4-H, Sunday school and vacation bible school activities while her children were young. After she retired from teaching, Donna helped her daughters with their young families. Her five grandchildren: Jaylee, Danee, Cash, Katerina and Thomas lovingly knew her as Nana but also as a teacher with high standards for everything.
Donna had a passion for learning, taking courses for professional and personal growth throughout her life. Her interests included worldwide travel, visual arts, quilting, baking, reading, playing games, gardening, hiking and almost any outdoor activity. She was an accomplished artist and showed her work periodically.
Donna was raised with her sisters in farm family traditions and continued farming as she and her former spouse, Michael Selby, raised their daughters. Her resilience and work ethic were called to bear as Donna fought cancer in 2008, became a blue star mother with two daughters deployed overseas, and fought cancer again in 2022. In her passing, Donna showed incredible care and concern for future generations by making a tissue donation to the University of Maryland Brain and Tissue Bank.
Donna is survived by daughters: Gena (Robert Haglund) Selby, Leslie Selby and Polly (Matthew) Bray, as well as her sisters Tana Turonie, Diana (Richard) Pernsteiner, Kayda Nichols, Sharon (Dan) Olson, Marie (Bruce) Albers and Retha Nelson. She is further survived by her grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, December 29, 2022, at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church of Holway, Medford, WI. A memorial service will follow at 12 p.m. Private burial will be in the church cemetery. To leave an online condolence for the family, please visit www.NewcomerGreenBay.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials directed to the Red Cross, the Ice Age Trail Alliance, World Vision, Habitat for Humanity or Our Saviour's Lutheran Church of Holway, Medford, WI, in Donna's name are appreciated.