Donna Mae Steinke

April 26, 1943 – October 21, 2025

Donna Mae Steinke, 82, of Wausau, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at her residence at Acorn Hills Assisted Living in Mosinee.

She was born on April 26, 1943, in Stratford, Wisconsin, to Clare and Fern Weisman. Donna graduated from Stratford High School and went on to work as a school bus driver for many years in the Mosinee and Wausau school districts. She later worked in hospitality and eventually retired from her last position at Marathon Cheese.

Donna met her soulmate, Gordy Steinke, through a mutual friend, and the two were married on June 14, 2003, surrounded by their dearest family and friends.

In their retirement, Donna and Gordy cherished their time together playing golf and spending winters under the warm Florida sun. Donna's hands were rarely still — she had a lifelong passion for her flower gardens, always bursting with shades of pink, her favorite color. She also enjoyed creating beautiful Afghan blankets and doilies, which she lovingly shared with family and friends. She was an avid walker with her friends and son, walking miles at a time around the Rib Mountain area.

Donna was blessed with six children from previous marriages: Rick (Rose) Polster, Jackie (Tim) Durigan, Audrey (Matt) Kelly, Scott (Brenda) Polster, Robert (Sara) Polster, and John Regner. She is also survived by nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. In addition, sisters, Sandy (Keith) Weiler, Penny (Kyle) Stevenson, Mary (Kraig) Schwartz, Sally (Bernie) Wenzel, brothers, Ronald (Sue) Wiesman and Fred (Eileen) Wiesman.

She was preceded in death by her parents Clare and Fern Wiesman, sister, Patricia (Morris) Krall, brother John Clare Wiesman and husband Gordy Steinke

Donna will be deeply missed by all who knew her. We will remember her through the color pink, the hue that brightened her gardens, her wardrobe, and her spirit. Every pink bloom, every handmade blanket, and every memory shared will remind us of your beautiful heart. You will live on in all of us, always.

We extend our deepest gratitude to the compassionate staff at Acorn Hills Assisted Living for their exceptional care, warmth and kindness. She loved playing bingo and having ice cream with all her friends there.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Donna's life on Thursday November 6th at Restlawn Memorial Park located at 235962 North Troy Street, Wausau, WI. Visitation will start at 10am with a service following at 11am. Please join us in honoring her memory by wearing a touch of pink as we gather to share stories, laughter, and love in her memory.

Mid-Wisconsin Cremation Society is currently assisting the family. Online condolences can be made at MWCS.WS.