Donna Mae Appel

Donna Mae Appel, 77, of rural Thomson Illinois, died September 9, 2014 at Pleasant View Nursing Home in Morrison Illinois. God's timing for her passage to heaven was perfect, as Donna was able to attend her granddaughter's wedding and part of the reception on Saturday, then passed peacefully and without pain on Tuesday.Donna was born on May 31, 1937 in Chadwick Illinois to Lee and Rhua (Leavens) Hartman. She attended Pleasant Hill Grade School and was a graduate of Chadwick High School with the class of 1955. Donna was employed as a secretary by the Chadwick School System for two years after her graduation.
Donna married Robert "Bob" Appel on July 7, 1956 in Chadwick. Donna lived with her parents while Bob served in the Army at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Bob then transferred out to Fort Ord in California. Donna moved out to Sea Side California in the fall of 1957 to be closer to Bob. After Bob's active military service, they moved to rural Thomson and began their life as farmers, raising beef cattle, hogs, and the crops to feed them. Donna's children loved the flexibility she had as a farm wife, as she was always available to transport her daughter and son to their many school, church, and 4?H activities when they were growing up.
When their kids grew up and moved out on their own, Donna and Bob spent many evenings dancing with friends from Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois. Their favorite band was the Lyle Beaver Band, and they travelled many miles to enjoy his music and to dance. One of Donna and Bob's favorite vacations was their trip to Hawaii. They also enjoyed visiting friends in Arizona. Bob passed away on November 25, 1996.
Donna loved spending time with her grandchildren. She would call and wonder if she could take care of one set of grandkids, then she would call to see if the other set of grandkids could come over to play with their cousins. Donna recorded hours of cartoons and shows that her grandkids enjoyed watching. There were lots of laughs when Donna made Christmas cookies, and let her grandkids help her decorate them. Donna was especially proud of the recent addition to her family, her great-grandson, Bobby.
Donna was a member of Fair Haven United Methodist Church, Chadwick Illinois. Donna loved cooking and baking. She was famous among family and friends for her delicious cinnamon rolls, chewy chocolate chip cookies, sour cream cookies, huge oatmeal cookies, and homemade chicken and noodles. She enjoyed cooking for many family picnics and holiday gatherings over the years. Donna's hobbies included sewing, quilting, scrapbooking, and collecting figurines and Hobnail glassware. Donna used to plant a garden, and loved her flowers. Donna was a member of the Red Hat Ladies group from Chadwick. She thoroughly enjoyed her many outings wearing purple and red clothing and accessories, and her Red Hat completing her ensemble. Donna loved to get together with friends and play dominoes.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Robert; brother Lee "Bud" Hartman Jr., of Chadwick; sister Norma Jeanne Jensen of Freeport; brother-in-law Marvin Appel of Chadwick; and granddaughter Amanda Appel in infancy.
Donna is survived by her daughter, Alice Ann (Ed Dykstra) Beveroth of Morrison; son Darryl (Lori) Appel of Chadwick; grandchildren: Chelsea Beveroth; Ashley (Tony) Belha; Brent Beveroth; Jackie (Ryan) Imel; Lindsey Appel; and great-grandson Bobby Belha; brother Ned Hartman; sister-in-laws: Betty Decker of Sterling; Diane Appel of Chadwick; brothers and sister-in-laws: Everett (Carolyn) Appel of Thomson, LeRoy (Sharon) Appel of Morrison, Ray (Jan) Appel of Thomson; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held at the Law-Jones Funeral Home in Chadwick, Illinois from 2 to 5 pm on Sunday, September 14, 2014.
Funeral services will be held at the Law-Jones Funeral Home in Chadwick, Illinois at 10:30 am on Monday, September 15, 2014. Burial will follow in the Grove Hill Cemetery in Morrison Illinois.