Donna Mae Schommer, age 88, of River Falls, WI, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 31, 2019 at Kinnic Health and Rehab. Donna was born June 12, 1931 in El Paso Township, WI to parents Joseph and Lucy (Rightman) Young, the youngest of 9 siblings. Donna graduated from River Falls High School with the class of 1949. She was united in marriage to Joseph H. Schommer on November 24, 1953 at St. Bridget Catholic Church in River Falls. They were married for 61 1/2 years, before Joe’s passing in 2015.
In 1958, Donna and Joe purchased Joe’s Valley Bar, which they operated together for 42 years. During that time, Donna enjoyed sponsoring and competing in both pool leagues and bowling leagues, and playing in euchre tournaments. Donna also enjoyed travel, taking many American and European vacations and North American cruises, as well as an occasional casino trip. Donna cherished time spent with her family and loved being a grandma to her five grandchildren, baking them a seemingly endless supply of cookies. She will be missed dearly by her loved ones and friends alike.
Donna is survived by her son, William (Sue) Schommer of Columbia, MO; her daughter, Beth (Massimiliano Toffolon) Schommer of River Falls; her grandchildren, William II, Kurt, and Lance Schommer, and Nicholas and Emily Toffolon; as well as many nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe, her parents, eight siblings and many other members of her large, extended family.
Mass of Christian Burial for Donna Mae Schommer will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 5th at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church, 211 E. Division Street in River Falls, WI with Rev. Fr. Jerry Harris officiating. Visitation will take place at church, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Donna’s final place of rest will be the St. Mary’s Big River Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials in Donna’s honor be directed to the St. Bridget’s Emergency Fund for those in need, or to the American Heart Association.
Services have been entrusted to the O’Connell-Benedict Family Funeral Home of River Falls, WI. 715-425-5644.
