DONNA MARIE (SCHUMAN) SOMMERFELDT

BRODHEAD, WI

Donna Marie (Schuman) Sommerfeldt passed away peacefully at Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg, WI on March 19, 2025at age 91. She was born June 29, 1933 to Ralph and Ila (Holden) Schuman. Donna graduated from Orfordville High School in 1951 and went on to study at Prospect Hall Secretarial School in Milwaukee. Donna married her high school sweetheart, Sheldon Sommerfeldt, on February 21, 1953. Sheldon served in the US Army and was stationed in Aberdeen, Maryland and Donna worked as a secretary in the restricted area on the post.

Donna and Sheldy moved to Beloit, WI where Donna was a stay at home mom to their two boys, Marc and Kevin. Then she was employed by the Beloit Clinic, retiring after 30 years in 2000. The family enjoyed boating, water skiing and camping on summer weekends. They took summer camping vacations and enjoyed the western United States the best. Some of Donna’s favorite vacations were traveling to California and Hawaii with Sheldy to visit their son Kevin. Sadly, Sheldy passed away at 57 years old in 1990.

At a classmate luncheon in 2004 she sat next to Lawrence (Lorny) Grabow who was recently widowed. He asked Donna out to lunch a few months later. Donna moved to Brodhead with Lorny in 2005 and they shared a close and loving relationship with lots of laughter until his death in 2020. Donna maintained a close relationship with Lorny’s family after his passing.

If you knew Donna, she was never one to let a good time pass her by. She took many trips with friends to places like Holland MI, Branson MO, and Nashville TN. She and Lorny traveled to visit friends and family and made several trips to Hawaii to visit her son Kevin.

Donna was always busy and had many hobbies. She crocheted nearly 100 afghans for family and special friends but was known for her crocheted slippers. From a young age photography was a passion and she created beautiful photo books and greeting cards with her pictures. Her favorite hobby for many years was line dancing where she created many lasting memories. While dancing she made a special friendship with Mary, Jan and Sandy. She loved her flowers, had a passion for reading and shared her life with several special kitties, Sammie, Toby, Muffin and Oscar.

She is survived by her sons Marc (Beth) of Fitchburg, WI and Kevin (Kimi) of Keaau, HI; her grandsons Michael (Kari) Sommerfeldt, Madison, WI and Jerod (Christi) Sommerfeldt, Potsdam, NY; a very special great-grandson, Foster Sommerfeldt in Potsdam, NY. She is further survived by brother-in-laws Jerry Sommerfeldt and Richard (Chub) Sommerfeldt; sister- in- law Jan (Harley) Weisse; and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

Donna is preceded in death by her husband of 37 years, Sheldon; her parents Ralph and Ila Schuman; in-laws Virgil and Nancy Sommerfeldt and Judy Sommerfeldt; niece Janelle Bevars and nephew Craig Sommerfeldt. Her loving companion Lorny Grabow passed away in 2020.

Visitation will be at the D. L. Newcomer Funeral Home in Brodhead, WI on March 28, 2025. Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 with the service to follow. Internment will be at the Orfordville Lutheran Cemetery in Orfordville, WI.

The special people at the Brodhead Memorial Public Library delivered books to Donna once she was home bound. Memorial Public Library delivered books to Donna once she was home bound. Donna asked that memorials be addressed to Broadhead Memorial Public Library in her memory.