Donna Mae Degnan

Donna Degnan, 83, of Ford River, passed away on Sunday, October 19, 2025 at OSF St. Francis Hospital.
She was born on May 14, 1942 in Escanaba, daughter of Arthur and Mae (Flath) Erickson. As a young girl, she was crowned Cherry Pie Queen and then the following year in 1957, she was the Ford River Smelt Queen. Donna was raised in Ford River and graduated from Escanaba High School, class of 1960. She continued her education at Northern Michigan College and received her licensed practical nurse certificate.
On December 28, 1963, the former Donna Erickson married Michael Degnan at St. Joseph's Church in Escanaba.
Donna was an LPN at St. Francis Hospital and Doctors Park until her retirement.
Donna could often be found in her sewing room making special gifts for her children, grandchildren, neighbors, and friends. If she wasn't sewing; she was cooking, canning, or crocheting something (usually while watching the food network to find a new receipt to try). She always had cookies readily available for visitors. Donna always looked forward to and enjoyed her monthly dinners with her high school classmates.
She loved going to the races to cheer on Scott, Karen, Drake, and Macy and all the racers. She never missed a race until her health prevented her to this past year, but she still was able to watch them on Facebook Live thanks to Crystal Carlson.
Among survivors include her children, Scott (Karen) Degnan and Kelli (Bryan) Derouin; son-in-law, Robert Bower; grandchildren, Ashley Brown, Jordan (Samantha) Bower, Dave (Megan) Bower, Mitchell (Cheyenne) Johnson, Macy (Nathan) Degnan, and Drake (Olivia) Degnan; sister, Sharon (Dale) DeMars; sister-in-law, Darlene Erickson; God son, Greg DeMars; special friend, Sandy Peltier; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by her daughters, Michelle Howe and Gina Bower; son in law, Robert Derouin; grandchildren, Rochelle Horwitz and Owen Johnson; brothers, Allen Erickson and Dennis Erickson; and sisters, Judy Olmstead and Susan (John) Hartman.
A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to the family, c/o Crawford Funeral Home, 302 S. 13th St., Escanaba, MI 49829. The family will purchase cherry trees in Donna's memory and they will be planted in some of her favorite places.
A message of condolence may be directed to the family by visiting www.crawfordfunerahomes.net. The Crawford Funeral Homes are assisting the Degnan family with arrangements.