"Dawn and family, So sorry to hear of Dona's passing but now she is the bright star looking down from heaven watching over you! She was such a sweet lady and enjoyed visiting with her. Love Charlie and Janice Close"
In loving memory of
Dona J. Powell
April 29, 1931 - November 2, 2022
Dona J. Powell, of Pearson, died Wednesday, November 2, 2022, at her home surrounded by family. She was 91 years old. She was born on April 29, 1931, in Antigo, a daughter of Herman and Dorothy (Carlson) Stuempges. She married Donald Powell on June 7, 1952, at St. John Lutheran Church in Pickerel. He preceded her in death on June 10, 1993.
Dona attended Lily Grade School and graduated from White Lake High School, class of 1949. Following high school, she attended Langlade County Normal School and then graduated from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point in 1974. Dona taught in the one-room schoolhouse in Hollister for five years before teaching at Elcho Elementary for 30 years until her retirement in 1998. In 1994, Dona was nominated for the "Who's Who of Teachers" by one of her students.
Dona enjoyed knitting, reading, crossword puzzles, ceramics, and coloring. The morning after her passing, the sunrise was a beautiful pink like she had colored it herself for her family.
Survivors include two daughters, Dorathy (Gene) Mason of Deerbrook and Dawn Close of Pearson; a son, Doran Powell of Pearson; a daughter-in-law, Jean Powell of Crandon; four grandchildren, Melonni (John) Ernst of Elcho, Natashia (Bash) Powell-Kpakpatrou of Minnesota, Shania (Nathan) Meetz of Rhinelander, and Harris Powell of Crandon; four great-grandchildren, Alexiya Ernst, CJ Pankratz, Ryden Kpakpatrou, and Hudson Meetz; a sister, Mary (Butch) Bovet of Arizona; brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, David Powell; son-in-law, John Close; daughter-in-law, Tina Powell; sister, Kathern (Leon) Mabry; and brother, Lauron (Ruth) Stuempges.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, November 11, 2022, at 12 p.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Pickerel with Pastor Richard Kelm officiating. Burial will take place in Pearson Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at St. John Lutheran Church.
Tributes
"Dawn, and all Dona's loved ones, I'm so sorry for you loss of your Mother. Such a sweet lady that I enjoyed playing yahtzee and scrabble with every Thurs.. Dona was the yahtzee queen, she almost always got a yahtzee and many times two in one game. She certainly will be missed. I 'll miss my game times with her. Prayers, love and hugs ....Marchette"
"Our sincere condolences to the family? Tom and Debbie Elst"
"She was such a wonderful lady,I had many chats with her when she brought her dog in for grooming,RIP Dona"