Donna Kelley, 78, of Catawba Island passed away peacefully with family on Tuesday, April 23,. She was born on September 7, 1934, in Canton, SD, to Gerritt and Frieda (Johnson) Vugteveen. On August 8, 1959 in Minneapolis, MN, she married John J. Kelley, and he preceded her in death on November 30, 2004. Donna previously worked for more than 20 years as the office manager for Drs. George Optometrists in Port Clinton, starting in 1974. She was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Port Clinton and a longtime choir member.
Donna also was a member of the Port Clinton Yacht Club, Catawba Island Club, CIC Golferettes, Port Clinton Swim Boosters & Swim Club, and, for more than 40 years she volunteered for the Magruder Hospital Auxiliary, at times serving as chairwoman for Charity Ball and as the corporate fundraiser. Nothing was more satisfying to Donna than striving for a hole-in-one (which she got), a great hand in bridge, a sail (or race) on the family boat and, most importantly, anything to do with her grandchildren.
Donna is survived by her sons: Mark (Lisa) Kelley of Catawba Island and Kevin Kelley of Rocky River, OH, grandchildren: Grace, Cara, Katie, Clare, Teagan, and Isaac, stepmother: Joy Vugteveen (105 years old) of Rochester, MN, sisters: Mary Halverson of Rochester, MN, and Carol (Leon) Schrage of Iowa City, IA, and numerous nieces and nephews from Massachusetts to Minnesota. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one brother, and two sisters.
Visitation will be Sunday, April 28, from 2-8 p.m., with family present from 2-4 & 5-8 p.m., at the Gerner-Wolf-Walker Funeral Home & Crematory, Port Clinton. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Monday, April 29, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Port Clinton, beginning at 9:30 a.m. with prayers offered at the funeral home. Interment will be in Catawba Island Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Donna may be given to the Catawba Island Volunteer Fire Department or the Magruder Hospital Auxiliary. Online condolences or any special memories of Donna are encouraged and may be shared with the family at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com.
