Donna Howell, age 71, passed away on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at Aurora St. Lukes Medical Center-Milwaukee.
Born on May 31, 1952, she was the daughter of the late William and Marie (Arents) Baron. Donna attended St. Marks Catholic Grade School and graduated from Tremper High School, Class of 1970.
She started her career as a receptionist at the headquarters of the Barber Shop Quartet Society, SPESQSA. After that she was able to join working with her uncle at Jockey International in Kenosha. Circumstances brought her to move to the Southwest where she started her career as Administrative Assistant in the construction industry in Las Vegas NV…where she met and married her new husband, Randy who was working as a Union Electrician. Donna along with her husband and her beloved black and white cat “squad car” returned to his hometown in San Francisco at his local IBEW #6, when there he would always refer to his new wife “I hit the jackpot in Vegas marrying Donna” also the friends of Randy after getting to know her she earned the nickname “St. Donna”.
For many years she worked as an Administrative Assistant for two construction companies, Plant & Novo Construction, where she was held in highest regards for her commitment and quality work. After they took many trips back and forth to visit Donna’s family for the holidays, weddings, etc. They both had agreed that they would retire to Kenosha to be with her family and their friends who Donna loved dearly. So, to be back in her hometown running into old friends, family holidays and the traditional cookie exchanges with family at Christmas. She loved being here watching the seasons go by and decorate accordingly, also to be back in time to see the family start to grow and loved being around the little ones. Her interest blossomed like spring flowers, she enjoyed donating her time to the Woman’s Club of Kenosha and was fittingly put in charge of building maintenance. She also volunteered with “Comfort for a Cause” tying and knotting quilts to donate to different causes, ” Shop with a Cop” – Veterans Association .and many more… She loved her home and was in her “happy place”, tying and knotting quilts on her kitchen island.
Donna was also a very avid seamstress. During Covid they sewed numerous masks to donate to the medical personnel in this area during the shortage, she also enjoyed quilting, sewing and even started crocheting again and when they would get together with their friends for dinners, a game of Cribbage and other card games. Her Catholic faith and being a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church had a major role in her now shortened life, that has been taken from us. We all have peace in knowing she’s been received by our heavenly Father’s warm embrace.
She is survived by her loving husband, Randy Howell; her stepdaughter, Erica (David) Bolt; her grandson, Max Bolt; her siblings, Richard (Peggy) Baron, Patricia (David) Bell and Kathryn Bell; her nieces and nephews, Jeremiah (Lindsay) Baron, Nicole (Mike) Booth, Rachel (Justin) Lemke, Danielle Baron, Jared (Stacey) Baron, Renata (Kirk) McMillen, Jordan (Ally) Baron, Lauren Bell and Robert Bell and many loving great nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Donna was preceded in death by her brother, Robert Baron and her uncle, Edward Arents.
Service Date May 6, 2024
SERVICE LOCATION St. Marys Catholic Church
Funeral services honoring Donna’s life will be held on Monday, May 6, 2024.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery.
A visitation for Donna will be held on Sunday, May 5, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Piasecki Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances to Kenosha Women’s Club, 6028 8th Ave, Kenosha, WI 53143 are appreciated by the family.
