Dona Jean
Albee
Visitation Saturday, October 8 from 11 am until the time of service at noon
Heritage Funeral Home at 6615 W. Oklahoma Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53219
Dona Jean (Gretzinger) Albee died peacefully on October 3, 2022, with her children Sue and Craig by her side, reunited with her loving husband of 60 years, Jack.
Dona was born on April 27, 1936 in Clintonville, WI. Weighing in at birth at 2 pounds, she was a fighter and miracle baby. She graduated from Appleton High School and worked in various office positions over her career, including Northwestern Mutual Life, Milwaukee Area Technical College, and alongside Jack in their insurance businesses. She was a 50+ year resident of her beloved Wauwatosa and 40+ year member of St. Matthew’s Lutheran church.
Dona loved to be around family and friends and was an avid reader. She was Jack’s partner in crime – a good sport and willing participant in his and other family antics. She greatly enjoyed bridge and other card and board games, especially the game competitions between friends and family at the Christmas Eve extravaganza she hosted every year. She regularly socialized with her many friends through walking, exercise classes, bowling, and golf groups. At home, she always had the radio tuned in to the Brewers, Packers, and Badgers. She enjoyed traveling, family reunions, weddings, her many groups of friends, and driving throughout the state with her dear Jack.
In her later years she loved the company of her grandchildren and attending their sporting events and holiday gatherings. She struggled with blindness and memory loss but still enjoyed having activity around her and contributed her quick wit to conversations even when we didn’t know she was listening.
Dona leaves behind her son, Craig, daughter Sue Hart, daughter-in-law Micki Fox, grandchildren Isabel Hart, Brooke Hart, and Levon Albee Fox, sister Judy (Roy) Hintz, god-daughter Pamela Christensen Ronca, and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Her last family was the loving and dedicated staff at Elaine’s Hope at the Lutheran Home. She is preceded in death by her parents, George and Evelyn Gretzinger, husband John (Jack) Albee, brother Michael, and son-in-law Dave Hart.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dona’s name to any of the following organizations, or one of your choice: The Alzheimers Association (alz.org), or the Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired (wcblind.org).
Visitation will take place from 11 am until the time of service at noon on Saturday, October 8 at Heritage Funeral Home at 6615 W. Oklahoma Ave. A private inurnment for Jack and Dona will take place at a later date at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Union Grove, WI.
heritagefuneral.com
Those Christmas Eve’s were Epic!!!
What a beautiful life she lived. I enjoyed reading about her many activities and interests. She’s the type of woman I deeply admire. We send loving thoughts and prayers of comfort to the Albee family.
On behalf of everyone here at the Alzheimer’s Association – thank you so much for thinking of us at this time of loss to your family. Memorial donations made in Dona’s name will be put to immediate use serving families and supporting research. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dave Grams, Executive Director
My dear aunt Dona was always so upbeat and such a trooper, continuing to participate in family activities even as her eyesight began to desert her……..and she often caught us off guard with her clever comments when we least expected it! (2 lbs eh?! No wonder she was such a tough cookie!) Anyway what a sweet lovely woman she was💕 ❤️ Leslie
I loved my sister in law. Dona and I shared a special bond being married to the Albee brothers. Diona was such a cool lady, smart, good card player and a terrific sense of humor..
Bill and i fondly remember our 2 plus years living in Wisconsin and being close to Jack, Dona, Craig and Sue. Dona- until we meet again . She knows what I mean.
For many years I played Bridge with Dona in a group of wonderful ladies.
She was an excellant player and was sadly missed when her eyesight
Failed her.. She now joins two others of our group, Jeanne Ament and Anne Née,
In their heavenly home where we all hope to meet one day..! She was also a proud Mom
Who often shared stories of her family’s varied successes.
A very special person. I love and miss Jack and Dona.