DONNA M. HEMPLEMAN, age 80, of Altoona, WI, formerly of Thorp, passed away peacefully on Saturday April 20, 2024, surrounded by her family.  Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, May 10, 2024 at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Thorp.  Rev. Stanislaus Michael Antony will officiate, and burial will follow in St. Bernard Catholic Cemetery.  Visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 9 am until time of service.

     Donna Mae Karshbaum was born on May 7, 1943 in Durand, WI, to the late John and Edna (Johnson) Karshbaum.  She graduated from Lima High School and went on to Cosmetology School in Eau Claire.  On May 15, 1965, Donna married Edward Anton George Hempleman at Lima Catholic Church, rural Durand.  Together they raised a family on a dairy farm in Thorp.  The farm was a home away from home for all their nieces and nephews every summer and the gathering place for relatives year-round.

     When you couldn’t find Donna on a tractor in the field, you would find her in the kitchen.  She was known as a great cook and baker.  Her baking skills included cake decorating.  Every birthday party wasn’t complete unless there was an elaborate, hand decorated cake by Donna.  She was also an excellent gardener.  Every Fall she enjoyed canning and freezing her large produce crop.  Donna also enjoyed sewing and often sewed clothes for the family.  In her later years, she got into bird watching and feeding the birds.  Donna’s greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  “Her kids”, as she called them, were her pride and joy. 

     After retiring from the farm, Donna worked several years at Cray Research/TTM/Honeywell, where she enjoyed working and making new friends. 

     Donna leaves behind her husband, Edward; her children: Deb (Rick) Hanson, Gary, Brian (Sarah), James, Lisa (Nathan) Payton; daughter-in-law Carrie; grandchildren: Doulgas (Vanessa) Linsie, Bradley, Amanda (TJ), Melanie, Aiden, Laura, Violet, Ernie, Alex, McKenize (Nick), Lance, Saharra, Damian, Olivia and Addison; great-grandchildren: Bella, Jackson, Justus, Ansley, Kase, Brecken, Lincoln, Lynnlee and Ember; sister: Joanne Karshbaum; brother-in-law: Richard Oldenburg; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends, as well as all her dog and kitty friends who brought her joy with their visits.  

     She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Jason; father and mother-in-law, Edward and Lillian Hempleman; sisters-in-law: Jean, Carol and Nancy; and brothers-in-law: Bob, Don and Jim.

     In lieu of flowers, donations in Donna’s name to St. Croix Hospice or your local humane society would be greatly appreciated.