Donna Vande Zande-Postponed Service

Donna M. Vande Zande, age 94, passed from this earth and went to meet her loving Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on December 31, 2023.  Donna was born April 27, 1929 in Fond du Lac County, the daughter of John H. and Kate Stelsel Rens. Donna graduated from Waupun High School in 1947.  On May 30, 1952 she married Clarence G. Vande Zande at First Reformed Church in Waupun. Following their marriage, the couple resided in Waupun all of their married lives.  

Donna was an active member of the Waupun community. She was a member of the American Legion Post 210 Auxiliary, the Waupun Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, Church Women United of Waupun, and the Waupun Camp of the Gideons International.  Donna was a charter member of Trinity Reformed Church in Waupun, where she was a member of the Trinity Women’s Guild and Abundant Life Ministry.  

Music was an important part of Donna’s life, and she played the organ at First Reformed and Trinity Reformed Churches for more than 64 years, as well as playing for many weddings, funerals, music ensembles, and many other events. Donna was also known for her hospitality to others, and she was always ready to prepare and serve a meal for anyone in need. 

Donna is survived by three sons, Mark (Deborah) Vande Zande of Waupun, Scott (Jan Place) Vande Zande of Longbranch, WA, and Daniel (Carleen) Vande Zande of Waupun; two daughters, Marianne (Andy) Giebel of Kenosha, WI, Joy (Greg) Wiecks of Duluth, MN; eight grandchildren, Eric Vande Zande, Ryan Vande Zande, Kyle (Carissa) Vande Zande, Katie (Kyle Taylor) Giebel, Noah Giebel (fiancée Shannan Aalbregtse), Caleb Giebel, Cameron Wiecks, Connery Wiecks; and two great-grandchildren, Eliana and Carson Vande Zande. 

Donna is preceded in death by her husband, Clarence; a sister, Merna Ter Beest; two brothers, Delmer Rens and Milton Rens, and her parents, John and Kate Stelsel Rens, and several nieces and nephews. 

The family wishes to express its sincere thanks to those who cared for Donna over the years, and especially the staff at the Waupun Christian Home and Rehabilitation Center and SSM medical providers and Health Hospice Care Team for their outstanding and loving care and kindness to Donna and her family. 

Funeral services for Donna will be held at Trinity Reformed Church in Waupun on Saturday, January 20, 2024 at 10:30 a.m., Reverend Bryant Brozik officiating, with burial to follow at Forest Mound Cemetery.  Friends and relatives may call on the family on the day of service at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. 

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, any memorials be directed to the Waupun Food Pantry, to benefit those in need.