On December 15, 2022, Donna Jane Proulx was called home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Donna was born in Auburn, MI, on April 5, 1933 along with her twin brother Donald to Norman and Leona Kipfmiller.
As a young adult, she moved with her family to the Turner area where she meet the love of her life, James Joseph Proulx, Sr. They were married May 10th, 1952 after a 3-month courtship. Together they built a life and raised three children. Donna was a great seamstress and passed this passion on to her daughters. She was known for sewing prom dresses, a cape for the Au Gres Sims School homecoming queen, bridesmaid’s dresses for her daughter’s wedding, and quilts, just to name a few.
Donna also loved gardening, farming with her husband, salmon fishing back on the river, perch fishing, and playing cards with family and friends. She was a Girl Scout Leader, Band Booster President, a cook at Lutz’s Bakery and Restaurant, and sold Avon throughout the AuGres community for many years. She was a long time member of St. Mark’s Catholic Church.
Donna’s biggest passion and love was her family whom she loved spending time with. With the help of her daughter Margie, she attended almost every event her granddaughters participated in cheering them on at cross country, basketball, softball, piano and dance recitals, music performances and marching band performances. If her children or grandchildren were there, she was there to support them and they were her pride and joy. Donna was grateful to be alive for the birth of her most recent great grandson Teddy. We are very thankful Donna received excellent care from the loving staff at Iosco Medical Care Facility near the end of her life.
She is survived by her children Margie Proulx of Au Gres, James (Sandy) Proulx, Jr. of Turner, and Cyndie (Bill) Britt of Tawas. Five grandchildren: Bethany (Nicholas) Chernich, Shanna (Brandon) Duellman, Heather Britt (Ben Cronk), Tabitha (Steven) Rittenberg, and Marc (Trish) Daniel. Six great grandchildren: Theodore Chernich, Tristen Rudolph, Thomas Rudolph, Kelsey Daniel (Dean), Kyle (Gwen) Daniel, and Kayla Daniel. One great, great grandchild: Maeve Daniel. Donna is survived by her sister Loretta Shirkey, her brother and sister-in-law Glen (Judy) Kipfmiller, her sister-in-law Doris Proulx, and her sister and brother-in-law Bill and Shirley Skutt.
Donna was preceded in death by her husband Jim 38 years ago, her twin brother Donald shortly after birth, her parents Norman and Leona, her brother and sister-in-law Richard (Pat) Kipfmiller, her sister Arletta Kipfmiller, her brother-in-law Bill Shirkey, her brother-in-law Harry Proulx, her brother-in-law Fred Proulx, and her brother and sister-in-law Ben and Mary Zapinski.
For those planning an expression of sympathy, gifts can be made to the family to be donated per their wishes. Donna’s family will receive friends at the Buresh Funeral Home in Au Gres on Sunday, December 18th from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. The funeral liturgy will be celebrated at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Au Gres on Monday, December 19th at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will take place at St. Mark’s at 10:00 a.m. prior to the service. Interment will take place in the Linwood Cemetery in Au Gres. Online condolences may be shared to Donna’s family at www.bureshfuneralhomes.com
