Donna Mae (Knox) Zaruba
Donna Mae (Knox) Zaruba, formerly of Cornell, passed away Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024, in Appleton.
Donna was born May 2, 1930, to Raymond “Pete” and Helen (Thompson) Knox, Cornell.
She grew up in Cornell, proudly graduating from Cornell High School, with the Class of 1948. She loved attending class reunions, and enjoyed keeping in touch with her friends and classmates throughout the years.
After graduation, she was employed by Northwestern Bank in Cornell, where she enjoyed the opportunity to meet and visit with customers, and especially appreciated the fun camaraderie of her many co-workers over her 45 plus-year career.
During her 20s, she and some girlfriends were lucky enough to experience some amazing travels by train, which took them as far west as the Rocky Mountains, and as far east as New York City and Washington, D.C. She participated on various bowling teams, often traveling to tournaments, winning trophies and proudly earning bragging rights for once knocking down the dreaded 7-10 split.
She later married her best friend and “partner in crime,” Louis “Louie” E. Zaruba, and they settled in Cornell, and began a family.
Through the years, Louie and Donna enjoyed camping, family gatherings and casino trips, as well as more travels, setting off on road trips to South Dakota, Washington, D.C., and Las Vegas, to name a few. Once, they even ventured on an especially adventurous road trip with some good friends, that took them from Las Vegas through Los Angeles and San Diego, and across the border, to explore Mexico.
Over the years, Donna volunteered as a Sunday School teacher and Girl Scouts leader, as well as served on the Cornell Cemetery Board and participated in her much loved TOPS group. She and Louie proudly attended their daughter’s various activities over the years, then proceeded to enjoy the chance to attend their grandchildren’s events.
Throughout the years, her family was always amazed at how she and Louie loved to chat with each other, about anything and everything, from current events to politics, to good food to the good old days. They never ran out of topics to discuss.
She was a devoted fan of the Green Bay Packers, an avid sampler of desserts and sweet treats (especially chocolate), an eager participant of a good laugh or practical joke, and a collector of all things Mickey Mouse.
After Louie passed away in 2021, Donna moved to Greenville, to live with her daughter, Vicki, and family. She missed Louie terribly, but was thrilled to receive phone calls, cards, notes and gifts, from her friends and family back home.
While living in Greenville, she was delighted to spend time with her grandchildren, while attending football games, track meets and graduations, and when joining family trips to destinations in Wisconsin and Minnesota, including Lambeau Field and Door County.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law – Vicki and Dennis Sigl; granddaughter – Isabella (Eric Xiong) Sigl; grandson – Matthew Louis Sigl, all of whom love and miss, both Gram and Gramp, and are grateful for their never-ending love and support; cousins – Janie and Greg Baker; niece – Donella Sarauer; nephew – Paul (Becky) Sarauer; and brother-in-law – Gordon Sarauer.
She was proceeded in death by her husband – Louie; her parents; a brother – Raymond Jr., in infancy; sister – Barbara Sarauer; sister-in-law – Cindy Sarauer; and niece – Helaine Sarauer.
Visitation will take place at noon, Saturday, June 22, at Borton-Leiser Funeral Home in Cornell, with a memorial service to follow at 1 p.m., at the funeral home. A lunch gathering will take place at the Estella Town Hall in Cornell, following the service.
If you knew either Donna or Louie, their family would love for you to attend any part of the afternoon, to share stories or memories with them, or to just stop in and say hello!
Online condolences may be expressed at www.bortonleiserfuneralhome. com. Borton-Leiser Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Cornell, is assisting the family.
