Donna Marie Peterson

Donna Marie Peterson, 88, of Sturgeon Bay, was called Home to be with the Lord on Sunday, September 7, 2025.

She was born July 22, 1937 in Sturgeon Bay, the daughter of Archie Reinhard and Viola (Waller) Reinhard. Donna attended grade school in Baileys Harbor and Christ Ev. Lutheran Church in the Town of Liberty Grove before attending Zion Lutheran Church in Sister Bay. She graduated from Gibraltar High School with the class of 1955.

She met Donald Allen Peterson while in high school, who was playing in a Polka band. Upon seeing her, he said, "I'm going to marry that girl." They were united in marriage on August 13, 1955 at Donald's home church, St. John Ev. Lutheran Church in Valmy, where they remained lifelong members.

Donna was the bookkeeper for her husband's auto business, Pete's Valmy Motors. She also owned her own upholstery business, beginning in the 1960s and continuing in the late 1990s when she retired.

Donna's primary care was devoted to raising her family at home. She and Donald were blessed with three children and over 45 years of marriage. He preceded her in death on September 11, 2000.

Donna's faith provided a foundation for her life and that of her family's. She was a devoted member of the St. John Lutheran Ladies Aid at church. Donna served and cared for others as a volunteer in Sturgeon Bay with Respite Care and then Neighbor-to-Neighbor. She loved to sew and was an avid quilter. Above all, Donna loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Her love will live on in the hearts of her children, James (Kathy) Peterson of the Town of Nasewaupee, Joni (Tony) Vertz, and Jeffrey Peterson, both of Sturgeon Bay; grandchildren, Crystal (Chris) Jodarski and Amber (Kevin) O'Laire, A.J. (Shannon) Vertz and April (Ryan) Ackerman, and Ben, Justin, Emily, and Courtney (friend, Dylan) Peterson; great-grandchildren, Abigail Berrigan and Ariah Jodarski, Remington, Archar, and Willa Lee O'Laire, Tyler and Sophie Vertz, and Sydney Peterson; siblings-in-law, Laverne Vandermause of Kiel and Donna Peterson of the Town of Sevastopol; many nieces and nephews; other relatives; and friends.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brother, Charles Reinhard; sister-in-law, Syda Reinhard; parents-in-law, Clarence and Ruth (nee Zirbel) Peterson; siblings-in-law, Robert Peterson, Gladys and Harvey Jonas, Alden Van Dyk, Shirley and Jerry Coleman, Maynard Vandermause, and Allan and Audrey Hasenjager; nephew, Scott Reinhard; and other relatives.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 13, 2025 at St. John Ev. Lutheran Church in Valmy with Pastor Peter Martin officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery, beside her husband, Donald.

Visitation for family and friends will be held at the church on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until time of service. Memorials may be given in Donna's name for St. John Ev. Lutheran Church or Neighbor-to-Neighbor Volunteer Caregivers of Door County, Inc. (P.O. Box 626, Sturgeon Bay WI 54235).

Huehns Funeral Home in Sturgeon Bay is assisting the Peterson family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Donna may be shared with her family through her tribute page at www.HuehnsFuneralHome.com.

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