Donna Durawa

Donna L. Durawa, 86, passed away peacefully on November 12, 2024, at Teal Shores in Mequon. Born on February 7, 1938, in Little Chute, Wisconsin, Donna was the only child of Joseph N. Gerrits and Frances Marie (Van Hammond) Gerrits. Despite being an only child, she was never without companionship, as she was surrounded by her many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Donna graduated from Little Chute High School and soon after began working for Tuttle Press. During one of her after-work adventures with her girlfriends, she met the love of her life, James “Jim” Durawa, a man who made her laugh. Donna and Jim were married on November 24, 1962, at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Community Church in Little Chute.

Shortly after getting married, Jim and Donna moved to Allouez where they raised their three children. Donna enjoyed working in the buying offices of Prange’s Department Store and later at St. Vincent Hospital. The couple took pleasure in spending time with friends, going on family camping vacations in Door County, and cheering for the Packers. They were longtime members of Resurrection Catholic Parish, which took on even greater significance in Donna’s life after Jim passed away. Heartbroken by the loss of her husband, Donna chose to join a bereavement group, the church choir, a singles club, and a dance club. By immersing herself in these activities, she formed many wonderful friendships, had a fantastic time dancing, enjoyed singing in the choir, and was even persuaded to fly to Cancun for a trip with friends that she cherished.

Donna loved spending time with her family, indulging in delicious food (as long as it wasn’t her turn to cook), taking leisurely walks, playing games, listening to music, dressing up and dancing, attending Sunday Mass, and sharing hearty laughs. Even as time took away her memories, she still enjoyed a good dessert, walked until her last weeks, found joy in selecting the perfect outfit, tapped her foot and danced to her favorite songs, recited prayers when prompted, and smiled and laughed along with others in the joy of the moment. We will forever treasure those memories.

Donna will be deeply missed by her three children: Jaye M. Mortensen of Milwaukee; Andrew J. (Thea) Durawa of Whitefish Bay; and James J. (Ann Brock) Durawa of Milwaukee; her five grandchildren: Xavier Durawa; Amara (Eamonn Wayson) Durawa; Lilia Mortensen; Ella Mortensen; and Anna Mortensen, as well as one great-grandchild, August Wayson, and her many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Durawa, in 1989; her parents, Joseph and Frances Gerrits; her brothers-in-law, Charles Benkendorf, Victor Dorn, Edward Pflum, and Clifford Osen; her sisters-in-law, Carol Dorn, Mary Ann Pflum, and Ruth Osen; her nephews, Matthew Dorn, and Nick Pflum; and her niece's husband, David Johnson. 

The Mass of Christian Burial for Donna L. Durawa will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 25, 2024, at Resurrection Catholic Parish, 333 Hilltop Dr, Green Bay with Fr. Tom Reynebeau officiating. The family will receive friends at the church on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. A luncheon will follow in Resurrection’s Gathering Area. The burial will take place at Allouez Catholic Cemetery at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Alzheimer's Association. The family will be donning purple scarves and ties for Alzheimer’s awareness; please feel free to dress in color and help us celebrate Donna’s life.