Donna Rae Millan

Donna Rae Millan, age 79, of Laona, passed away Monday, February 9, 2026, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

Donna was born on May 31, 1946, in Laona at Ovitz Hospital to the late Ervin and Selma (Biever) Thompson. She was a 1964 graduate of Laona High School. On June 6, 1964, she was united in marriage to Anthony "Tony" Millan at St. Leonard Catholic Church in Laona. Together they shared more than 61 years of marriage.

Donna enjoyed cooking and baking and was well known for her homemade sausage soup. She loved dining out, hosting and playing card games with friends and family, and going on casino adventures. A devoted country music fan, she especially enjoyed attending the Hodag Country Music Festival in Rhinelander. Donna and Tony shared many memorable fishing trips to Canada and enjoyed camping with close friends Linda and Lanny Lafferty. She also shared a special bond with her beloved cat, Pumpkin, whom she even taught to drink from a water bottle.

Donna is survived by her husband, Anthony "Tony" Millan; her daughters, Sandra (John) Stec and Debra (Woody) Mentz; her grandchildren, Daniel Stec, Kimberly (Nick Hauer) Mentz, and Craig Mentz; her sisters, Carol (Virg) Aschinger and Betty Chitko; and her brother, Kim (Debra) Thompson.

In addition to her parents, Donna was preceded in death by her brothers, Jim (Bev) Thompson and Donnie Thompson, and her brother-in-law, Fred Chitko.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at St. Leonard Catholic Church in Laona. A Memorial Mass will follow at 12:00 p.m. Inurnment will take place at the Town of Laona Cemetery at a later date in the spring, as weather permits.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff of Compassus Home Health for their compassionate care provided to Donna and her family.