Donna Mae Blue, age 84, of Ellsworth, died peacefully on March 5, 2024 at her residence. She was the daughter of Rochelle (Parmeter) Cook and was born on September 9, 1939 in Beldenville, Wis. Donna had a very long career with Jostens in Red Wing, Minn. Donna was widowed three times in her life unfortunately. However, out of her marriages she was blessed with six children, Glen, Jimmy, Gary, Jerry, Debbie, and Julie.
Donna was an extremely loving mother. She took great pride in raising her children. She enjoyed a simple life. Donna loved to travel, road trips out to Montana to see family, a couple of cruises, even out to Hawaii and the Panama Canal. Trips to their family cabin in Siren were especially important as her family was there. She found joy in fishing with her children for sunfish and crappies. She was a supportive mother and was always there for her kids, though she would never take sides either. Throughout Donna’s life, she had several jobs, her first being at King’s Meat Packing where she had met Col. Sanders. She later took up a career at Jostens in Red Wing, Minn. and worked there until her retirement at the age of 50. Donna also had a love for animals; her most recent fur baby’s name is Charlie and he was very special to her.
Donna is survived by her children Glen (Marge) Jimmy Kolve, Gary Kolve, Jerry Kolve, Debbie (Rollie) Fuller, Julie Gabert; her grandchildren: Dustin Gabert, Kasey (Alicia) Kolve, Ryan (Grace) Kolve, Jennifer Kolve, Elliot Wilkens, Teah (Cole) Wilkens, Dominic Wilkens, Shawna (Jamey) Kolve, Brady Kolve, Brent Kolve, Branda Kolve, Wayne (Melissa) Kolve, Angie (Nich) Willard, Dan (Ashley) Kolve, Shelly (Adam) Shadrick, Kevin (Krista) Kolve, Neil (Robin) Kolve, Lisa (Cole) Henderson, Tammy Kolve, Nicki (Ed) Webb, Mathew (Vanessa) Kolve, Christie (Kyle) Danielson, Roxy (Chris) Linder, and Kayla (Corey) Fuller; great grandchildren: John Skym, Tuesday Gabert, Chase Kolve, Presler Kolve, Keaton Kolve, Jett Kolve, Desyre Anderson, Dax Anderson, Ella Rae Wilkens, Emric Wilkens, Ryatt Wilkens, Avery Alms, Macey Alms, Lincoln Peterson, Parker Peterson, Kayson Kolve, Colton Kolve, Paisley Kolve, Mackenzie Fairchild, Sierra Stolz, Maddie Kolve, Brandon Kolve, Kolten Kolve, Karsen Kolve, Kora Kolve, Cooper Kolve, Jacey Kolve, Brookelyn Henderson, Dakota Henderson , Lexi Lawrence, Jonalynn Fuller, Brie Fuller, McKenna Lee, Tyler Lee, Oliva Lee, Ellie Danielson, Chloe Kane, Cloey Linder, Gavin Bisel, Damekah Fuller-Fisher, Ryker Griffin, Audrey Kelley, Kyle Hayworth, Keelan Hayworth, Kaden Kolve, Seth Willard, Anika Furr, Alivia Kolve, Addison Kolve, Savanna Call, Noah Call, Hunter Shadrick, Mya Shadrick, Wyatt, Elena, and Isabel Castillo-Wetzell; and great great grandchildren: Trinity Fuller, Renesmae Fuller, and Oliver Lawrence.
She was preceded in death by her three husbands, Rolland Kolve, Gene Nelson, and Carl Pechacek; grandson, Rolland “Sam” Kolve; and siblings: Earl Blue, Gene (Myrna) Blue and an infant brother.
A Gathering of Friends and Family will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 30, 2024 at O’Connell Family Funeral Home: 130 N Grant St. Ellsworth, WI 54011. A short prayer service at 2 p.m. will conclude the gathering.
Services are entrusted to O’Connell Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ellsworth, www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com, 715-273-4421.
