Holland, MI – Donna Jean Martens on Tuesday, December 20, 2022, Donna Jean (Collinge) Martens passed away peacefully at the age of 95. Donna was currently a resident of Appledorn Care Facility in Holland, MI.
Donna was born to Gertrude and Ruben Collinge on June 14, 1927. She was the second oldest in a family of nine children. Donna grew up in Muskegon, MI where she enjoyed playing basketball and softball as a teenager.
She met her husband, Don, at a cottage at Pere Marquette in Muskegon, and they were married for 62 years before Don passed in 2009.
Donna was an excellent bridge player and loved sewing and knitting for her family. She researched her genealogy extensively, traveling to Europe several times. Donna followed politics closely and volunteered on several presidential campaigns. Above all, her favorite activity was large gatherings with her extended family.
Surviving Donna are her children: Leslie (Chris) Chopper, Albion, MI; Donnel (Cindy) Martens, Spirit Lake, IA; Merri Martens (Tim Nowakowski), Holland, MI; seven grandchildren: Gregg (Lisa) Chopper, Merideth (Casey) Mack, Cole Martens, Alicia (Justin) Zevenbergen, Kiel Nowakowski, Haile (Shawn) Albrecht, Emma Nowakowski; and eight great grandchildren. Also surviving are sisters: Judy (Roger) Filius, Janice Sienkiewicz, Terry (Wayne) Lobdell, Cherri Kobza, Isabel Stahl, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her brothers: James and Jared Collinge; sister, Sally Flejszar; sisters-in-law: Frances Venske, Willa Collinge; brothers-in-law: Chester Flejszar, Mike Kobza, Gary Stahl, Joe Sienkiewicz, Harold Martens, Louie Venske; nieces: Cindy, Marcia; and nephews: Steve, Jamie.
A memorial service is being planned for the summer of 2023. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Central United Methodist Church in Muskegon, 1011 2nd St, Muskegon, MI 49440.
The family would like to thank the many aides who work in the Terrace at Appledorn, who cared for Donna over the past five years and Careline Hospice, who provided end of life care. They would also like to thank Donna’s special friend, Julia McConnell, who spent countless hours at her bedside making Donna laugh and Sandy Prause her dear friend, chauffeur, and caregiver.
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