Obituary for Donna Mae Kobelin
Donna Mae Kobelin
November 15th, 1929 - December 14th, 2020
Donna Mae Kobelin passed peacefully in her sleep during the early hours of December 14th, 2020. She entered eternity exactly how she had desired to; in her bed, in her home, in the presence of those she loved and who loved her.
She was born Donna Mae Jung in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and raised in nearby Wauwatosa until she attended college at the University of Wisconsin, graduating with a degree in Elementary Education in 1948.
During one of her summers in college she worked at Yellowstone Park, where she met the man who would win her heart and become her husband for over 61 years, Warren Kobelin. They were married on July 30, 1952 in San Antonio, Texas, and while Warren served in the Army, Donna taught kindergarten and loved it.
In 1955, they moved to Kalispell, Montana. There they had their daughter, Linda Jane. When Warren began his lifelong career with Eli Lilly & Company, the new family moved to Grand Junction, Colorado. There they had two sons, Scott Warren and David Elliott.
Donna devoted the next 20+ years of her life to raising her family and supporting Warren as his job took them to many different states, finally settling in Bellevue, WA in 1973. When their last child left home, she re-entered the workforce, becoming a Special Education teacher in the Bellevue School District where she was much loved by many students with which she made a life-long bond.
Upon Warren’s retirement in 1992, Donna and he began the ‘traveling’ phase of their lives. Multiple cruises to many different countries, coupled with yearly trips to Maui, Hawaii, where they met with friends and family, brought great joy to their lives.
As Warren’s health declined, Donna became his primary caregiver and did so until he entered a care facility. Even then, she visited him twice a day until his passing in 2013.
Donna was a proud Norwegian Lutheran and a member of both the Daughters of Norway and the Lutheran Church. For many years she served faithfully at St. Luke’s Lutheran in Bellevue, where she had many deep and lasting relationships. She also was a member of P.E.O., Washington Chapter, and greatly enjoyed her involvement there.
She was a loving and faithful wife, mother, and friend. And her most cherished role, for which she will be fondly remembered and deeply missed, was that of Grandma/Great Grandma.
Her family is grateful for the 91 years she was able to spend in this life and is at peace knowing she is now completely free from the effects of dementia/Alzheimer’s that she endured during her last few years.
Donna was preceded in death by her husband Warren, her daughter Linda, and her son Scott. She is survived by her sister Ruth, her son David (Julianne), and by seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
She will be always remembered and greatly missed. Until we meet again, we love you, Mom/Grandma!
In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Alzheimer's Association, Washington State Chapter in Donna's memory
Copy the link below and paste it into your URL
https://act.alz.org/site/TR/Events/Tributes-AlzheimersChampions?pxfid=660532&fr_id=1060&pg=fund
November 15th, 1929 - December 14th, 2020
Donna Mae Kobelin passed peacefully in her sleep during the early hours of December 14th, 2020. She entered eternity exactly how she had desired to; in her bed, in her home, in the presence of those she loved and who loved her.
She was born Donna Mae Jung in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and raised in nearby Wauwatosa until she attended college at the University of Wisconsin, graduating with a degree in Elementary Education in 1948.
During one of her summers in college she worked at Yellowstone Park, where she met the man who would win her heart and become her husband for over 61 years, Warren Kobelin. They were married on July 30, 1952 in San Antonio, Texas, and while Warren served in the Army, Donna taught kindergarten and loved it.
In 1955, they moved to Kalispell, Montana. There they had their daughter, Linda Jane. When Warren began his lifelong career with Eli Lilly & Company, the new family moved to Grand Junction, Colorado. There they had two sons, Scott Warren and David Elliott.
Donna devoted the next 20+ years of her life to raising her family and supporting Warren as his job took them to many different states, finally settling in Bellevue, WA in 1973. When their last child left home, she re-entered the workforce, becoming a Special Education teacher in the Bellevue School District where she was much loved by many students with which she made a life-long bond.
Upon Warren’s retirement in 1992, Donna and he began the ‘traveling’ phase of their lives. Multiple cruises to many different countries, coupled with yearly trips to Maui, Hawaii, where they met with friends and family, brought great joy to their lives.
As Warren’s health declined, Donna became his primary caregiver and did so until he entered a care facility. Even then, she visited him twice a day until his passing in 2013.
Donna was a proud Norwegian Lutheran and a member of both the Daughters of Norway and the Lutheran Church. For many years she served faithfully at St. Luke’s Lutheran in Bellevue, where she had many deep and lasting relationships. She also was a member of P.E.O., Washington Chapter, and greatly enjoyed her involvement there.
She was a loving and faithful wife, mother, and friend. And her most cherished role, for which she will be fondly remembered and deeply missed, was that of Grandma/Great Grandma.
Her family is grateful for the 91 years she was able to spend in this life and is at peace knowing she is now completely free from the effects of dementia/Alzheimer’s that she endured during her last few years.
Donna was preceded in death by her husband Warren, her daughter Linda, and her son Scott. She is survived by her sister Ruth, her son David (Julianne), and by seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
She will be always remembered and greatly missed. Until we meet again, we love you, Mom/Grandma!
In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Alzheimer's Association, Washington State Chapter in Donna's memory
Copy the link below and paste it into your URL
https://act.alz.org/site/TR/Events/Tributes-AlzheimersChampions?pxfid=660532&fr_id=1060&pg=fund