Donna Mae (Zick) Winn

Donna M. Winn, age 74, of rural Bancroft, passed away of an unexpected illness on Saturday, April 8, 2017 at UW Hospital in Madison.

She was born April 30, 1942 in Waukesha, the daughter of Albert A. and Augusta W. (Katzner) Zick.  She married James A. “Jim” Winn on December 8, 1962 in Waukesha.

Donna was raised in the Waukesha area where she graduated from Waukesha High School, completed secretarial school, worked at Ambrosia Chocolate Factory and at one time, Waukesha Parks and Recreation. After her marriage to Jim, a social studies teacher, they moved to Shullsburg for one year and then back to Waukesha before purchasing their farm in rural Bancroft where they have lived and loved ever since. She spent her time raising her girls, helping Jim on the farm, and entertaining him with countless card games and home-cooked meals. She had also worked at Growing Desire in Plover, Copps Grocery and Two Lakes Supper Club for many years.

Some of her greatest joys in life were spent with her granddaughters, watching them in their many activities, and going on adventures with them.  “Granny” was always up for fun and would try anything once, whether it was going on a scary roller coaster ride, working on a new craft, sledding or anything else her granddaughters wanted her to do.  She also enjoyed taking the dogs for long walks to the “dog park” at the back of her and Jim’s farm, gardening, traveling with her daughters and granddaughters, attending exercise classes and spending time with family and friends playing games and making fun memories together.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 54 years, James A. “Jim” Winn, Bancroft; her loving daughters Wendy Winn (Joseph Zwaska) Wausau area and Jaimie Winn (David Rutz) Almond, WI; her adored granddaughters, Devon Winn, Ella Winn and Audra Zwaska; her brothers and sister, Eric (Gloria) Zick, Robert Nichols and Lorna (Jodi Kasperski) Zick; further survived by brother-in-law Ken (Elaine) Winn, sister-in-law Susan (Alden) Ferguson; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many special friends who will all mourn her loss.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her stepmother, Virginia (Kinney) Zick;  two sisters, Dorothy Sjoberg and Ilah Plehn, three brothers, Lyle Nichols, Raymond Nichols and Elmer Nichols, and brothers and sisters -in law; Darv Sjoberg, Fred Plehn, Marvin Cunningham, Phillipa Nichols, Margie Nichols and June Zick.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at 12:00 noon in the Stahl Funeral Home, Plainfield.  Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at the funeral home. The Stahl Funeral Home of Plainfield is assisting the family with arrangements. To share a memory with Donna’s family, please visit www.stahlfuneralhome.com  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Portage County Humane Society.