Obituary for Donna J. Nadeau

Donna was born to John and Evelyn Stapel on November 19, 1929, in Red Wing, MN. She graduated from Central High School in 1947.

In 1949, she married her one true love, Frederick Nadeau. They shared 70 years of love, laughter and family.

Donna worked as a librarian in the Red Wing Public School District for over 20 years before retiring. She was an active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, singing in the choir and serving on the alter guild. She volunteered with The Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity for several years.

After retirement she and Fred spent many years traveling to different golf courses with their golf group. They also took many cross country road trips. They typically spent a few weeks a year in Florida as they got older to escape Minnesota winters. Their greatest adventure was a cruise to the Panama Canal. They moved to Mindoro, WI, in 2009, to be closer to family and spent the next 10 years making new friends and neighbors and enjoying their grandchildren’s sporting and musical activities. Donna spent the last 6 years living at Havenwood in Onalaska where she continued to share her joy. She met many special people who she calls friends while there.

Those who knew Donna were witness to her zest for life and living every day to its fullest extent possible, golfing yet at age 90 and enjoying a beer every day. Even as her eyesight started to fail her and her ability to do the things she loved so much diminished; she kept a positive outlook. As she said all the time; what good will it do to complain…..won’t change anything. Words I have lived by thanks to her.

Donna is survived by her son, Charles; daughter, Jane (Brad) Ramsey; four wonderful grandchildren, Samuel and Hannah Nadeau, and Erik and Meghan Ramsey; sister-in-law, Marion Nadeau; and several nieces, nephews, relatives, and dear friends.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Fred; brother, Robert Stapel; daughter-in-law, Elisabet Nadeau; and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Donna will be interred with her husband, Fred, in a private ceremony at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minn. Military honors will be rendered to honor Fred's honorable service in the United States Navy.

Fredrickson Funeral Homes and Crematory, Jostad Chapel, West Salem, is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be offered at this site.