Donna Loraine Gerhardt

Donna Loraine Gerhardt, age 95, of Baldwin, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on November 27, 2023, at Baldwin Care Center in Baldwin, Wisconsin.

Donna was born on February 28, 1928 to parents Effern and Pauline Sandretzky in Superior, Wisconsin.

As a child, Donna was raised in the Superior/Duluth area until her high school years when her family moved to the Twin Cities area.  After attending the Vocational School in Minneapolis, Donna met and was united in marriage with the love of her life, Edwin Gerhardt on July 3, 1947 in Rosemount, Minnesota.  Together they raised four children.

Being raised in the city, then marrying a dairy farmer, Donna quickly learned what hard work was.  Donna was a loving mother and wife who kept the house smelling good with all her homemade dishes.  She was an excellent cook and baker.  Her children would often come home from school with a house filled with donuts working through the process of raising, frying, drying, and frosting.  Donna also loved gardening and canning.  She loved sharing her passion for food with family and friends.  Donna enjoyed inviting neighbors over and playing games while sharing her latest kitchen dish.  After Ed’s passing, Donna would travel with her sister and friends.  They would travel by bus across the country exploring new locations.  However, two of Donna’s favorite adventures were taking an Alaskan cruise and traveling to Hawaii.  In Donna’s pastime, she enjoyed Search-A-Words, Bingo, any card or dice game and occasionally going to the Casino.

Donna is survived by her daughters Pauline “Polly” Henke, Renee Gerhardt; daughter-in-law Roxanne “Rocky” Gerhardt; grandchildren Donna Ulrich, Mary (Josh) Tapken, Josh (Jennica Driscoll) Gerhardt, Joe (Jill) Gerhardt, Jerid Klatt, Ron (Gerilyn) Gerhardt, Michael (Grace) Gerhardt, Joe (Shelly) Stansbury; great-grandchildren James Ulrich, Grace Gerhardt, Chloe Gerhardt, Catie Gerhardt, Thomas Gerhardt, Blake Klatt, Chase Klatt, Shye Klatt, Faith Driscoll, Madi Driscoll, Lynn Marie, Lainie Porter-Stansbury, Dylan Hagedorn, Jaxson Stansbury; great-great grandchild Brayla; and sister Fern Hughes.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ed Gerhardt; children Walter Gerhardt, Ron Gerhardt; sons-in-law Ray Henke and John Stansbury.

A Visitation for Donna will be held from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 17, 2024 at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2526 80 ^th Avenue, Woodville, WI 54028 with a Memorial Service starting at 11:00 a.m.

Funeral services entrusted to O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Baldwin.