Donna C. Pechtel
May 11th, 1935 - February 3rd, 2024
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Donna's Obituary
Donna C. Pechtel, 88, of St. Joseph, went to be with her Lord, Saturday, February 3, 2024 at her home, surrounded by her loving family.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 A.M. Thursday, February 8, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Court & Market Sts., St. Joseph, with Rev. Michael Roth officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph. Friends may visit with the family beginning at 10:00 A.M. Thursday at the Church. Memorial donations in Donna’s name may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, St. Joseph. Those wishing to sign Donna’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Donna was born May 11, 1935 in Chicago, Illinois to Ernest & Wanda (Krueger) Standley. She graduated from Taft High School in Chicago, Class of 1953. On September 15, 1956, she married Gerald “Jerry” Pechtel at Salem Lutheran Church in Coloma. Donna devoted her life to caring for her family and their home. She also worked for many years at Peoples Savings Association, retiring as branch manager, and was also an Avon representative for many years. Donna was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and served on the Ladies Aide. In her free time, she voluneered at Lakeland hospital, enjoyed time with her friends bowling and playing cards, and bingo at the St. Joseph-Lincoln Senior Center.
Donna loved sewing and crafting. She and Jerry enjoyed years of craft shows setting up, socializing and selling her many creations! She always loved roses, so Dad made sure rose bushes were abundant wherever they lived and she always loved bouquets from him on special occasions. Her love for dancing was clear with German Polkas at weddings and many years of October fests. She was the family coordinator, and lived for family vacations. In her later years, she enjoyed cards with family and friends with so many games to play! And looked forward to every holiday when we could all get together! Her special dog Buddy, became her life and loyal friend. Most of all, she cherished the time spent with her loving family.
During her final struggle, her favorite word was “Wonderful” as we shared all the great help she was getting and people coming to visit her. But her final wish was to be home with her family. Her granddaughter, McKenzie Clem (Hospice Nurse) made a heartfelt offer to guide her through her hospice care at Home - which she embraced and relaxed knowing her family was her caretaker. A special thanks to Elara Hospice Care for their great support and allowing her to do this. Kenzie, you changed her world and allowed her comfort with her family at her side and to pass into Heaven with grace and dignity. You are a special gift - Thank You.
Donna, you loved with all her heart, with no strings attached. This world is a better place because of you and you will be greatly missed. Your family and friends wish you peace and send our love to you up above - as you enjoy your grasshopper ice cream drinks and dance with dad forever!
Donna is survived by three daughters Linda Mashak (Curt Simmons), Darla (Terry) Steinert, Sheryl (Doug) Clem and son Michael (Julia) Pechtel. She leaves behind ten loving grandchildren T.J., Lauren, McKenzie, Rachel, Colin, Matthew, Hannah, Logan, Dylan and Amber along with her sister-in-law Marcie Standley. She was preceded in death by her husband Jerry on October 21, 2018, her parents, and two brothers-Larry & George Standley.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 A.M. Thursday, February 8, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Court & Market Sts., St. Joseph, with Rev. Michael Roth officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph. Friends may visit with the family beginning at 10:00 A.M. Thursday at the Church. Memorial donations in Donna’s name may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, St. Joseph. Those wishing to sign Donna’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Donna was born May 11, 1935 in Chicago, Illinois to Ernest & Wanda (Krueger) Standley. She graduated from Taft High School in Chicago, Class of 1953. On September 15, 1956, she married Gerald “Jerry” Pechtel at Salem Lutheran Church in Coloma. Donna devoted her life to caring for her family and their home. She also worked for many years at Peoples Savings Association, retiring as branch manager, and was also an Avon representative for many years. Donna was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and served on the Ladies Aide. In her free time, she voluneered at Lakeland hospital, enjoyed time with her friends bowling and playing cards, and bingo at the St. Joseph-Lincoln Senior Center.
Donna loved sewing and crafting. She and Jerry enjoyed years of craft shows setting up, socializing and selling her many creations! She always loved roses, so Dad made sure rose bushes were abundant wherever they lived and she always loved bouquets from him on special occasions. Her love for dancing was clear with German Polkas at weddings and many years of October fests. She was the family coordinator, and lived for family vacations. In her later years, she enjoyed cards with family and friends with so many games to play! And looked forward to every holiday when we could all get together! Her special dog Buddy, became her life and loyal friend. Most of all, she cherished the time spent with her loving family.
During her final struggle, her favorite word was “Wonderful” as we shared all the great help she was getting and people coming to visit her. But her final wish was to be home with her family. Her granddaughter, McKenzie Clem (Hospice Nurse) made a heartfelt offer to guide her through her hospice care at Home - which she embraced and relaxed knowing her family was her caretaker. A special thanks to Elara Hospice Care for their great support and allowing her to do this. Kenzie, you changed her world and allowed her comfort with her family at her side and to pass into Heaven with grace and dignity. You are a special gift - Thank You.
Donna, you loved with all her heart, with no strings attached. This world is a better place because of you and you will be greatly missed. Your family and friends wish you peace and send our love to you up above - as you enjoy your grasshopper ice cream drinks and dance with dad forever!
Donna is survived by three daughters Linda Mashak (Curt Simmons), Darla (Terry) Steinert, Sheryl (Doug) Clem and son Michael (Julia) Pechtel. She leaves behind ten loving grandchildren T.J., Lauren, McKenzie, Rachel, Colin, Matthew, Hannah, Logan, Dylan and Amber along with her sister-in-law Marcie Standley. She was preceded in death by her husband Jerry on October 21, 2018, her parents, and two brothers-Larry & George Standley.
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